HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M (3-10, 2-1 SWAC) returned home for the first time since early November but could not withstand an offensive barrage from Alcorn State (3-11, 2-0 SWAC) falling 78-71 in an NCAA Division I men's basketball game on Saturday, January 8.
 
Junior guard Garrett Hicks (Madison, Ala.) led the Bulldogs with 22 points, three rebounds and two steals while sophomore forward Anjay Cortez (Charlotte, N.C.) had 14 points and four boards. Junior forward Jalen Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind.) chipped in with 13 points and 12 rebounds while sophomore guard Dailin Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo.) added 13 points, three boards and a pair of steals.
 
Over the first 14 minutes the Braves built a 28-14 lead that included 15 points from Keondre Montgomery. For the remainder of the frame AAMU would score 19 of the final 28 points a stretch that would include seven points from Smith to close the gap to 37-33 heading into halftime.
 
Alcorn State would start the second half with a bang, registering a 22-8 rally over eight minutes with Lenel Henry scoring five points to push the score to 59-41. The Bulldogs would respond with a 28-14 run that included 14 points from Hicks and seven from Cortez to trail 73-69 with 1:26 showing on the clock.
 
The Braves would then use the remainder of the frame to outscore AAMU with a 5-2 run that consisted of a traditional three-point play from Justin Thomas with a pair of free throws by Montgomery down the stretch before closing out the 78-71 victory. 

Montgomery would lead Alcorn State with a game high 27 points along with five rebounds and three steals with Henry following with 13 points and five boards. Thomas added 10 points, five assists and five rebounds while Dontrell McQuarter finished with six points, five boards and two assists to round out the top performers.
 
Alabama A&M will return to the court on Monday, January 10 as they take on Jackson State. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Elmore Gymnasium following the completion of the women's game.