NORMAL –The Alabama A&M men’s basketball team fought hard but time ran out as they dropped their first Southwestern Athletic Conference contest 57-55 on Thursday night in Elmore Gymnasium.

The Maroon & White (4-7, 1-1 SWAC) could never find their offensive niche’ as they shot 17 of 46 for 37 percent. With five lead changes, the Bulldogs were outscored 23-18 in the paint and 19-13 in points off turnovers.

The first half saw the Tigers take an eight point lead, but consistent play by A&M allowed the Bulldogs to mount a comeback that saw them pull the score even at 26-26 at the break.

The second half is when the Bulldogs went cold from the field connecting on seven shots out of 21 including a 2 of 5 showing from the three-point line. Freshman point guard Jeremy Crutcher scored seven points in the final half. 

With 2:20 remaining and a 53-56 score freshman Demarquelle Tabb hit a layup to pull A&M within 1 point. After a foul by Cornelius Hester that sent JSU’s Tyrone Hanson to the line, Hanson would make his first and miss his second. Hester then rushed the ball down the court and attempted a layup that rolled out. A second attempt was made on the put back but was missed to give Jackson State a victory.      

Diamon Alexander scored 11 points and Tabb had 10 for Alabama A&M (4-7, 1-1), which has lost five of its last six games. The Bulldogs are averaging only 52 points per game in those losses.

For the third game in five days A&M will travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi to take on the Devils of Mississippi Valley State University. Game time is set for 5 pm.