Men’s and Women’s Basketball Open Conference Play with Doubleheader at Grambling State on Monday

RUSTON, LA.– The Alabama A&M University men's and women's basketball teams begin Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play with a doubleheader on Monday against Grambling State University with the women's game at 12 p.m., followed by the men at 2 p.m. in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.

LOOKING AT THE LADY BULLDOGS
The women's basketball team (5-6, 0-0 SWAC) looks to bounce back from their last outing that saw the Lady Bulldogs drop a 50-66 decision to Lipscomb in a non-conference matchup. The Lady Bulldogs offense shot 30.8 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from behind the arc. Nigeria Jones scored a team-high 12 points and grabbed four rebounds, while Natalie Collins and Ashlyn Dotson tallied seven points. Aubriana Bonner had a team-high eight rebounds.

"I am excited going into conference play and I feel that our non-conference schedule has prepared us for conference play," Lady Bulldogs Head Coach Margaret Richards said. "We are young and we have had our ups and downs, but I have seen this team grow and learn from our mistakes. We are still trying to find our identity, but when we all figure it out, we are going to be really special."

SCOUTING THE LADY TIGERS
The Lady Tigers (3-8, 0-0 SWAC) is coming off at 79-62 loss on Thursday night at Arkansas. Grambling State shot 37.9 percent (25-of-66) from the floor, but were 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) from the free-throw line. Freshman Ariel Williams scored a career-high 16 points in the loss to Arkansas. Deja McKinney leads the Lady Tigers offensive at 12.4 points in all 11 games played this season.

LOOKING AT THE BULLDOGS
Alabama University men's basketball (0-13, 0-0 SWAC) return to the hardwood after a week off of competition. They enter the matchup after coming off an 89-49 setback at Georgetown in a non-conference matchup. Mohamed Sherif was the only player who had double figure scoring for the Bulldogs. He led the team with 12 points. Evan Wiley contributed eight points and had a team-high six rebounds.

De'Ederick Petty leads the team in scoring with 10.8 points per game and Arthur "A.J." Johnson, follows with 10.1 points per game. Andre Kennedy leads the Bulldogs with 6.0 rebound per game.

"We challenged ourselves in our non-conference schedule, to prepare us for what we know will be a grueling run through conference play," Bulldogs Head Coach Donnie Marsh said. "The challenge continues as we open on the road with the team that may have played the best during non-conference (Grambling State) and at Jackson State, a team picked to finish near the top of the SWAC."

"I am encouraged by our players' focus, energy, and effort during our preparation after the Christmas break, and I believe we are ready for the challenge," Marsh said.

ABOUT THE TIGERS
The Tigers (4-9, 0-0 SWAC) is coming off a 93-63 loss to Seattle University on Thursday. Grambling State 36.8 percent (21-of-27) shooting and 73.1 percent (19-of-26) from the free-throw line. Ivy Smith, Jr. paced the Tigers in the loss to Seattle with 19 points. He leads the team in scoring wat 15.5 points and 3.5 boards per game.

Fans can follow live tweets about the games on Twitter @aamubulldogs.

For the most up-to-date information on Alabama A&M basketball, visit aamusports.com.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Aubriana Bonner: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

#2 Natalie Collins: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

#44 Ashlyn Dotson: C; 6' 2"; Freshman

#5 Nigeria Jones: PG; 5' 6"; Freshman

#23 Mohamed Sherif: F; 6' 9"; Junior

#3 De'Ederick Petty: G; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#24 Evan Wiley: F; 6' 7"; Sophomore

#11 Andre Kennedy: F; 6' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#1 Aubriana Bonner
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G

#2 Natalie Collins
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G

#44 Ashlyn Dotson
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: C

#5 Nigeria Jones
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: PG

#23 Mohamed Sherif
: 6' 9"; Junior
: F

#3 De'Ederick Petty
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: G

#24 Evan Wiley
: 6' 7"; Sophomore
: F

#11 Andre Kennedy
: 6' 7"; Junior
: F