The Alabama A&M women’s basketball team split its season series with Alabama State as they fell to a 63-52 decision in Montgomery, Ala. Katrich Williams led all scorers with a game-high 20 points and five boards. Erica Thompson had nine points in 20 minutes of action. Nesfayia Watkins chipped in with eight points. The Bulldogs will travel to play Southern University on Sat. Feb. 23 in Baton Rouge, La. Beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs started the game with three back-to-back baskets from behind the arc and a pair at the stripe to take a commanding 11-0 lead within the first three minutes of the game. Two free-throw shots by L’Teisha Holloway at the 17:07 mark ended the A&M run. ASU cut it to two, 15-13 at 11:56, and took a two point advantage with 23 seconds left. A Watkins layup right before time expired tied up the score, 26-26, heading into the half. The Hornets held a slim 40.9-38.9 percent shooting edge over the Bulldogs in the first 20 minutes.

A&M trailed the entire second half as Alabama State achieved a 44-34 lead – the widest margin of the entire game. The Bulldogs could not fully chip away at the deficit A&M struggled to connect on its shot attempts in the second period.

For Alabama State, Shanice Merritt recorded a double-double with a team-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. Holloway finished with 11 points.

The Bulldogs will take on the Jaguars of Southern on Feb. 23. The game is slated for 5:30 p.m.