Bulldogs Advance Past Alcorn State

A&M moves into semifinals vs. Alabama State

BOSSIER CITY, La. - BOX SCORE / PHOTOS
Alabama A&M (16-12) advanced Thursday in the SWAC Tournament with a 66-63 victory over Alcorn State (8-19). The Bulldogs built a 14-point halftime lead that grew to as large as 19 before hanging on for the quarterfinal win over a scrappy Braves team. A&M was led by Katrich Williams’ 27 points and advance to play Alabama State in Friday’s semifinal at 12:00 p.m.

Alabama A&M opened the game on an 8-2 run and never trailed after Alcorn grabbed a 2-1 lead a minute into the game. The Bulldogs shot 56.5 percent from the floor in the first half and built a 37-23 lead by the intermission.

Williams led the way with 27, and Whiquitta Tobar finished with 13 points. Shaurice Miller grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

The comfortable lead the Bulldogs accomplished in the first half all but evaporated in the second half. Alcorn State used a pressing defense to create 15 second-half turnovers for A&M. The Braves eventually cut the lead to a single point, 64-63, with 2.4 seconds remaining in the game.

Dominisha Johnson iced the game at the freethrow line with two makes to give A&M the final 66-63 lead. The final two seconds were not without their own drama as Alcorn's desperation shot from just beyond half court hit the back iron as time expired.

A&M's defense forced 15 Alcorn turnovers leading to a 12-0 advantage in fast break opportunities.

The win is just Alabama A&M's second overall in the SWAC Tournament. The Bulldogs are now 2-9 all time in the tourney with this being the first time the Bulldogs have faced Alcorn State. The only other victory came in the opening round of the 2006 tournament, a 64-59 overtime win past Mississippi Valley State.

The Bulldogs now face their arch rival, Alabama State. A&M swept the season series for the first time since joining the SWAC over a decade ago.

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