A&M Opens Season with Loss in Coaches vs. Cancer

Nov. 6, 2007

Lexington, Ky. - Alabama A&M opened its men's basketball season Tuesday with a 69-55 loss to Gardner-Webb in the first round of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Rupp Arena. Mickell Gladness nearly missed a triple-double for the Bulldogs with eight points, 10 reounds, and seven blocked shots. The senior center led the nation in blocked shots a year ago.

Evan Hilton and Trant Simpson led the Bulldogs with nine points each.

Alabama A&M led 18-16 when Gardner-Webb went on a 7-0 run and never relinquished the lead.  The Runnin' Bulldogs led 34-23 over A&M at the break and stretched the lead to as many as 22 with 5:36 to play.

Alabama A&M head coach Vann Pettaway said he was disappointed with his team's intensity. "With all the returning guys we had coming back, I expected us to play with more intensity. We had way too many turnovers and that really set the tone for the game."

The Bulldogs shot just 34.7 percent from the floor and 22.2 percent from behind the three-point arc.  Gardner-Webb held a 42-35 rebounding advantage.

Alabama A&M opened the game in good fashion and took a four-point lead 16-12 on a three-point field goal by Desmond Jackson.  A&M went cold from the field, and GWU put together the rally that gave them the lead for good.

AAMU is 0-1 on the season and will play in Wednesday's consolation game vs. Central Arkansas, which fell 67-40 to Kentucky in the night's other game.  Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. (Central).

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