Box Score / Photo Gallery - The Bulldogs trailed the entire first half and took their first advantage of the game at the 14:32 mark of the second half, but could not hold on to the advantage as Alabama State walked away with the 69-57 win at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium on Saturday. Three Bulldogs reached double figures, and A&M out rebounded the Hornets 36-34, including pulling down 19 offensive boards. Alabama A&M will host Alcorn on Saturday Jan. 24.

Cornelius Hester hit five baskets, including three treys for 13 points in 27 minutes of action. Jonathan Inman was 3-for-6 from the field for 11 points, and was a rebound shy of a double-double with nine boards. Jonathan Belt tallied 10 points and four rebounds. Trant Simpson chipped in with eight points and dished out four assists on the night.

For Alabama State, Brandon Brooks had a game-high 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the floor in 37 minutes. Roland Fitch and Wesley Jones had 16 and 10 points, respectively.

The Hornets had a 13 point cushion at the 6:35 mark of the first half off a Fitch basket. A&M cut it to seven heading into intermission, trailing 33-26.

In the second period, A&M ripped off an 11-1 run to gain its first lead of the game at 38-34 - highlighted by back to back three point baskets by Hester. The lead changed hands four more times until a Brooks jumper gave ASU a lead that it would not relinquish. The Hornets outscored the Bulldogs 15-4 in the last 3:19 to walk away with the 69-57 win.

A&M is back in action on Jan. 24 when it hosts Alcorn at Elmore Gym for a 6 p.m. tip.