Box Score / Photo Gallery - The Alabama A&M womens basketball team defeated in-state conference foe Alabama State, 54-47 in front of a crowd of 2,108 at Elmore Gym Saturday afternoon. Katrich Williams led all scorers with a game-best 17 points of the bench, including an 8-for-10 mark at the charity stripe. The Bulldogs are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 24 versus Alcorn beginning at 4:00 p.m.

A&M led by as many as 11 at 26-15 with 6:31 remaining in the first half. ASU went on a 9-2 run over a five minute-plus span to slice into the advantage and cut it to 28-24 with just under two minutes before the half. A layup by Nesfayia Watkins closed scoring for the first period and the Bulldogs walked ino the lockerroom with a 30-24 lead.

In the first 20, Williams led the Bulldogs with nine points in 14 minutes of action. Jakayla Hill had nine points for the Hornets off 4-of-7 shooting from the field.

A&M came out in the second period and scored four straight unanswered points within the first two minutes of play. The Hornets responded with a 12-2 run to take their first advantage since the 11:07 mark of the first half. Two Whiquitta Tobar free throws at 9:47 gave A&M back the advantage. The Hornets tied it up at the 8:13 and 7:09 mark, but the Bulldogs held on to take the 54-47 victory.

Along with Williams' game-high 17, Tobar chipped in with nine points and three boards. For the Hornets, L'Teisha Holloway and Jakayla Hill both scored 12 points. ASU held a 38-34 edge on the boards over the Bulldogs, however.

A&M will host Alcorn on Sat. Jan. 24 for a 4 p.m. tipoff.