Help with critical value?

Ok, so I have run a t-test and my statistic value is 2.2234. My critical value regarding .05 alpha, 11 df, and a one tailed test is 1.796. But this is a left tailed test because Ho>= 47.9 and Ha< 47.9 is that right? So would I just put a negative sign in front of the critical value since its left tailed? Also why does my p value remain the same? I got .02401 which is still < .05. So do I reject reject the Ho on the basis of the p value or fail to reject on the basis that the statistical value does not fall in the critical range? Please help!