Women's Basketball MEAC Media Relations

Cook, Bland Lead Second Half Surge in Win Over Howard

Ta’Wuana Cook scored nine of her 15 points in the second half and Amber Bland added seven of her 15 after intermission to help North Carolina A&T pull away to a 67-49 win over Howard in a MEAC game at Burr Gymnasium.

 

The Lady Bison (3-16 overall, 2-5 in the MEAC ) were able to maintain a 27-25 lead over the defending MEAC regular season champions on the combination of scoring from freshman Nathalie Day (8 points) and Zykia Brown (7 points) who combined for 15 points, and some fine team defense that limited the explosive Lady Aggies to 27 percent shooting.

 

But North Carolina A&T (15-4 overall, 7-0 in the MEAC), which has now won eight straight, took control at the start of the second half as Cook, Bland and Jaleesa Sams led an 18-3 run that opened a 43-30 lead.  The Lady Aggies were able to get high percentage shots as they connected on 53 percent in the second half.

 

 “They made some adjustments at halftime and were able to free up their scorers from the high post,” said Howard Coach Niki Reid Geckeler.  “Good teams make those kind of adjustments.”

 

While North Carolina A&T was running its offense and getting scoring from different players, the Lady Bison had to rely almost solely on the scoring and playmaking of Brown.  The Lady Aggies double teamed her each time she touched the ball and it proved to be effective as she finished with 14 points, but only seven in the final 20 minutes.

 

“Ziggy (Zykia) is finding a consistent zone in her game,” said Geckeler.  “She is able to do a lot of things for us, but at this level, you definitely need other players to step up.”  Tamaya Daniels chipped in with 9 points and 10 rebounds while Day tallied 8, all coming in the first half.

 

In addition to the scoring of Cook and Bland, the Lady Aggies got scoring support from Sams, Tierra Thomas and Brittany Taylor-James, who all had nine points.

 

GAME NOTES: North Carolina A&T held a 34-20 advantage on points-in-the-paint, 21-9 in points-off-turnovers and 17-7 on reserve points...Brown continues to make a case for all-conference honors...the sophomore guard recorded six assist and five steals in 40 minutes of play.

 

NEXT UP: Howard hosts Norfolk State on Monday at 6 pm while North Carolina A&T will look to continue its streak when it travels to Hampton, VA to take on the Lady Pirates on Monday at 5:30 pm.