Bulldogs drop third straight

Box Score

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NORMAL – Alabama A&M fell to even the season series with their conference rival Alabama State falling 57-47 to Alabama State University on Saturday night in front of 5,316 the largest crowd in Elmore Gymnasium since 2010.

The Hornets started the game with a five point lead but the Bulldogs took their first lead by the 15 minute mark 8-5. The biggest lead the Bulldogs held was seven points with 9:48 remaining in the first.

The Bulldogs held a 23-16 lead, with 6:29 left in the first half, but Alabama State cut it to one at halftime, 27-26, on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Tramaine Butler.

State started the second half very composed both offensively and defensively. Taking the lead for the first time since early in the first leading 30-29 with 18:49 on the clock. The Maroon & White quickly regained the lead starting a seesaw effect as the game was tied three times before the 15 minute mark.

Alabama State’s Ivory White gave State a short lived one point lead 40-39 with 10:50 remaining in the game, and then by the nine minute mark the Hornets tied the contest for the fifth time 42-42.

Two free throws by Phillip Crawford with 3:41 to play broke the game’s eighth and final tie. After an Alabama A&M turnover, Watts’ 3-pointer nine seconds later gave the Hornets a five-point lead, 49-44.

Alabama State exploited the Bulldogs in turnover margin and added a solid performance in offensive rebounding.

The Hornets was too powerful at the basket, with 10 offensive rebounds to only eight by A&M. The Hornets managed the game very well, registering only six turnovers to 17 for the Bulldogs.

This is the seventh game at home this season--AAMU has a 0.1 average scoring margin against opponents at home.

The Bulldogs have turned the ball over more than their opponents in the past four games.

Sophomore Jerome Hunter has led the team in rebounding in seven out of 21 games this season.

The Bulldogs have lost 88% of the time this season (1-8) after having a three point percentage of 27.3% or worse.

The top two scorers (Casey Cantey and Jeremy Crutcher) accounted for 48.9% of the points

Cantey led all A&M scorers with 12 points on 33% shooting in 24 minutes. Jeremy Crutcher led both teams with five assists.

The Bulldogs now find themselves at 5-16 and still looking for answers. They're still ninth in the SWAC and their conference record falls to 3-9. They've also extended their three game losing streak.

Alabama A&M will try to break the losing streak on Saturday, February 17, when they host Southern University to a 5 p.m. contest.

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