March 8, 2007

Final Stats

Birmingham, Ala. - Number three seeded Alabama A&M suffered an upset loss Thursday in the quarterfinal round of the SWAC Tournament at the BJCC Arena. The six seed, Grambling, closed the game with a 9-0 run over the final 1:44 to defeat the Bulldogs 68-62. The loss brings to an end one of the most successful seasons for A&M at 17-13, most notably since the Bulldogs joined the SWAC and NCAA Division I. The loss also brings to a close the careers for two A&M seniors, Tamika Green and Crystal Malone.

A&M led 62-59 after a Chaymieyon Moss layup, but Grambling's Lacey Cormier answered with a three-point play to tie the game with 1:29 to play. The following Bulldog possession came up empty when Sade Lett missed a three-pointer and Grambling secured the rebound. Cormier knocked down one of two free throws with 40 seconds remaining to give the Tigers a 63-62 lead. Christian Malone answered with a drive to the lane, but her field goal attempt to give the Bulldogs the lead was blocked by Cormier and converted into a transition layup and three-point play by Keva Wilson. The Tigers added two late free throws after the outcome was decided.

It looked as though the Bulldogs would advance to the semifinal round for the second straight season as A&M built a 34-27 lead at the half. The Bulldogs led 23-15 midway through the first half before Grambling answered with a 10-0 run to take the lead. A&M bounced right back with a 9-0 run of its own and finished the half with a seven-point edge. Felicia Drummond had a big first half with 10 points to lead A&M. She finished the game with a team-high 15, but fouled out with 3:14 to play.

Green finished her career with yet another solid floor game tallying 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Crystal Malone ended her career with six points and four rebounds. Christian Malone dished out a game-high six assists and had four steals.

The loss was the six in eight game for Alabama A&M after opening the conference season 11-0. The same things that plagues the Bulldogs late in the season showed up again Thursday. The Bulldogs shot just 30 percent from the floor and were out-rebounded 46-40.

Cormier led the Tigers with 23 points and 17 rebounds.