LORMAN, Miss. – Sophomore forward Jalen Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind.) delivered a career game but Alabama A&M (6-4, 4-4 SWAC) could not overcome a 16-4 second half run as they fell by a 65-52 score at Alcorn State (5-9, 5-4 SWAC) in an NCAA Division I men's basketball game on Monday, February 22.
 
Johnson was nearly unstoppable on the night as he hit on 10-of-12 attempts from the floor and hauled in nine boards, four off the offensive glass, and freshman guard Jevon Tatum (Snellville, Ga.) added nine points, four caroms and a pair of steals. They were joined by sophomore guard Garrett Hicks (Madison, Ala.) with five points and five rebounds.
 
Following three lead changes in the first two-plus minutes of play, and A&M ahead 7-3, the Braves produced a dominant 13-0 run over the next 4:11 to pull ahead 16-7. That run featured three long balls, including a pair from Oddyst Walker.
 
The Bulldogs wasted no time in answering as they scored the next seven points to cut it to a two point deficit but it would not stay there. ASU steadily rebuilt their lead out to a seven point spread at 25-18 with 2:52 left in the half before taking a three point margin, 27-24, into the locker room.
 
Trailing 33-27 with a little over two minutes gone by in the second half, Alabama A&M used an 8-2 run to knot it up at 35-35 by the 12:18 mark. A Braves free throw and a bucket underneath by the Bulldogs initiated a pair of lead changes but it would be Alcorn that would take the lead for good with 10:34 to play.
 
Down 37-36, back-to-back buckets by David Pierce ignited a 16-4 run that would take the Braves from down one to holding a commanding 52-41 lead with five and a half minutes to play. A&M would cut it back to nine on the next possession but could not stem the tide as Alcorn extended the lead to 16 points before closing out the 65-52 victory.
 
Troymain Crosby went 8-of-14 from the floor on his way to 21 points to go with nine boards while Walker drained three triples to finish with 13 points and six rebounds. Kurk Lee produced 10 points and dished out seven assists and Pierce added 13 points to round out the top performers.
 
Alabama A&M now heads to Southern for a rare midweek day game as they are set to tip-off at 2:30 p.m. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Wednesday, February 24. That game is a result of the postponement of the originally scheduled contest from Saturday, February 20.