Feb. 18, 2006

Box Score

Alabama A&M dropped its third straight game and fourth in five outings as SWAC leader Southern escaped Elmore Gym with an 84-80 victory. Michael Ford scored 23 points to lead AAMU. Obie Trotter chipped in with 19 points and dished out a game high eight assists. Joe Martin added 14 points, all in the second half, and Chris Collins (pictured) grabbed 10 rebounds before fouling out.

Southern's balanced scoring attack had five in double figures, led by Deforrest Riley-Smith's 17. Jerrid Campbell added a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Jaguars held the Bulldogs to 32 percent shooting in the first half and managed a 36-26 lead at the half. A&M would fight back to tie the game at 57 with just over nine minutes to play, but the Bulldogs would not tie the game again or take the lead in the second half.

Alabama A&M had the ball down 81-80 with 16 seconds remaining, when a botched inbounds play led to a controversial turnover. Trotter received the inbounds pass in front of the A&M bench, but lost his balance with some contact from his defender. Originally, the official with the call signaled that Trotter had asked for a timeout, of which the Bulldogs had none remaining. After a conference with his partners, the officials ruled an inadvertant whistle, and also ruled a turnover for A&M. The Jags were able to make free throws from then to ice the game.