Greensboro, N.C. (Feb. 16, 2024) … After a back-and-forth first half, North Carolina A&T (16-7, 10-2) dominated the third quarter and went on to post a 73-58 win over Hampton (2-20, 2-10) before 1,759 fans in Greensboro, N.C. Jordyn Dorsey led the Lady Aggies with 21 points, including 13 in the second half. Chaniya Clark and Laila Acox scored 12 points each and Maleia Bracone scored 10 in the winning effort. Camryn Hill led the Lady Pirates with 19 points and Tyra Kennedy came off the bench to add 10.
Hampton was whistled for 27 personal fouls leading to 24 Aggie points from the line. The Aggies were called for 13 fouls and the Lady Pirates were 9-of-14 from the charity stripe. A&T dominated the boards with a 51-29 edge in rebounds including 17 offensive boards.
Leading 30-24 at halftime, the Aggies outscored the Lady Pirates, 26-16, in the third quarter to lead 56-40. The Aggies continued their success from the line, making nine free throws in the third quarter to Hampton's four. Kennedy kept Hampton in the game with seven third quarter points but Dorsey countered with nine for the Aggies.
The lead grew to as many as 22 midway through the fourth quarter before a late Hampton run closed the gap to 15. Le'Asia Foreman had six of her nine points in the final period.
The Lady Aggies got off to a quick start, leading 7-2 midway through the first quarter as Hampton made just 1-of-8 from the field in the opening minutes. Hampton's Hill made two baskets and Kennedy was true on three free throws to keep the score close. North Carolina A&T led 12-9 after one quarter as A&T's Dorsey scored seven points.
An 8-0 Aggie run early in the second quarter put A&T ahead 22-15 lead. But Hill again came to the rescue with nine second quarter points to give her 13 of Hampton's 24 points at halftime on 6-of-8 shooting from the field. A three-pointer by Zaiha Minnis put the Lady Pirates ahead for the first time 22-21 with 2:40 left in the quarter. The Lady Aggies led 30-24 at intermission making 9-of-13 free throws in while Hampton was 4-of-5 from the line.
The Lady Aggies were red hot to start the second half, Dorsey scored six straight points and a 12-2 run put A&T ahead, 42-26, with 6:25 to go in the quarter. Hampton was unable to get any closer until the final minute of the game when the Lady Pirates scored the game's final six points.
Hampton returns home to take on Towson on Friday, Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Play4Kay game to raise awareness of cancer. Fans attending the game are encouraged to wear pink in support of cancer research.
