HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M (7-11, 5-3 SWAC) held off a late rally and senior forward Dariauna Lewis (Omaha, Neb.) led four players in double-digit scoring as they notched a 68-57 victory over Florida A&M (2-16, 3-5 SWAC) in an NCAA Division I women's basketball game on Saturday, January 29.
 
Lewis led the way with another stellar performance, this one featuring a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds to go with a block, assist and steal in 36 minutes. Graduate guard Nigeria Jones (Lincoln, Neb.) nearly had a double-double herself, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, two steals and a game-high eight assists in 37 minutes.
 
They were joined by sophomore guard Darian Burgin (Cincinnati, Ohio) with 11 points, five caroms and two steals and junior guard Jill Harris (Navarre, Fla.) with 10 points behind a pair of threes. Graduate forward Teliyah Jeter (Taylors, S.C.) posted a solid all-around game with four boards, three blocks, three assists and two steals to go with a pair of free throws and fellow graduate forward Kierra Johnson-Graham (Atlanta, Ga.) chipped in with eight points.
 
Alabama A&M would come out of the gate on fire as they raced out to a 16-4 lead before closing the opening period up 21-8. Over the course of those opening 10 minutes, Lewis would register 10 points and Harris would knock down a pair of three-pointers to fuel that run.
 
Two longballs by Anisja Harris would then power an 8-0 burst early in the second quarter to pull the Rattlers to within 23-16 but it would not last. The Bulldogs would then capitalize on the efforts of five different scorers over the remaining 6:16 to regain their equilibrium and head to the half with a considerable 33-18 advantage.
 
That margin would grow to 19 points on a pair of occasions in the third, the last at 41-22 with 5:35 showing on the clock. FAMU would get as close as 14 twice before AAMU headed to the fourth up 50-32.
 
With the lead still at 18 points a minute in, the Rattlers found their opportunity to strike, as they pounded out a 13-3 run that pulled them to within 57-49 with 5:18 to play. They would get no closer the rest of the way, however, as the Bulldogs held them at bay to close out the 68-57 victory minutes later.
 
Dylan Horton fueled FAMU's efforts with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting to go with four boards while Harris finished with 18 points behind four triples and added five steals, four assists and three rebounds. Staysha Allen rounded out the top performers with six points and six rebounds.
 
The Bulldogs are right back in action on Monday, January 31 as they take on Bethune-Cookman. Tip-off is set 5 p.m. at Elmore Gymnasium.
 
NOTES
This was the first ever meeting on record between the teams at Elmore Gymnasium. With the opening of the new Event Center prior to next season, it is only their only appearance in the venerable facility.
 
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