HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A 17-2 first half run and steady offensive pressure throughout the game was too much to overcome as Alabama A&M (6-7, 4-7 SWAC) dropped a 68-58 decision to a strong Texas Southern (11-8, 8-3 SWAC) team in an NCAA Division I men's basketball game on Monday, March 1.
 
Sophomore forward Jalen Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind.) led the Bulldogs with 16 points and 13 boards (seven off the offensive glass) while sophomore guard Garrett Hicks (Madison, Ala.) finished with 16 points and three assists. Freshman guard Jevon Tatum (Snellville, Ga.) added 13 points and fellow freshman guard London Riley (Atlanta, Ga.) chipped in with nine points behind the force of three triples in five attempts.
 
The Tigers set the tone from the opening tip as they exploded for a 17-2 run over the first 7:10 before A&M cut it to a 10-point deficit, 26-16, with 5:49 mark left in the half. From there the teams would be relatively evenly matched as they combined for 17 points, nine for TSU and eight for the Bulldogs, as they headed to the break with the score at 35-22.
 
A bucket to start the second half would put Texas Southern up by 15 but AAMU would battle back to within seven points twice, the latter coming at 45-38 with 12:27 showing on the clock. It would take a 16-8 run to get there and the Bulldogs would lose some steam as they soon found themselves down 18 points, 58-40, by the 8:43 mark.
 
Despite the tall order, Alabama A&M would mount another rally, this one an 18-7 stretch fueled by eight points from Tatum, five from Hicks and four from Johnson to once again pull within seven, this time 65-58 with 1:14 left. This time it would be an insurmountable lead, however, as the Tigers salted the game away with a free throw and fast break dunk to reach the final margin of 68-58.
 
Weathers fueled the TSU offensive attack with a game-high 18 points while Galen Alexander posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards in 37 minutes of action. Karl Nicholas just missed a double-double of his own with 13 points and nine rebounds, as did Yahuza Rasas with 10 caroms and eight points.
 
The Bulldogs wrap up the regular season with a two-game road trip beginning Thursday, March 4 at Jackson State. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Jackson, Mississippi.

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