The Basics
Score: Alabama A&M University 47  – #18 University of Illinois 68
Record: AAMU (4-7, 0-0 SWAC), UofI (8-3, 0-2 BIG TEN)
Location: Champaign, Ill - State Farm Center
Attendance: 13,813

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Despite a valiant effort on the road against the #18 ranked team in the country, the Alabama A&M men's basketball team fell to the University of Illinois 68-47 on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs drop to 4-7, 0-0 SWAC, while the #18 Illini improve to 8-3, 0-2 BIG TEN.

After scoring the first basket of the game, Alabama A&M saw Illinois go on a run to take the lead 14-7 in the first seven minutes of the game. After multiple runs the Illinis took a 36-17 lead going into halftime.

The second-half saw the Bulldogs go on a 16-0 run to cut the Illinois lead to 39-38. The Illinis closed out the game on a 29-9 run for the 68-47 victory,
 
Turning Point
After AAMU cutting the lead to 39-38 with just under 11 minute to play in the game, the Illinis responded with a 15-2 run to help seal the win.

Individual Leaders
Garrett Hicks (Madison, Ala.) led the Bulldogs with a team-high 13 points .while junior Messiah Thompson (Atlanta, Ga.) finished with 12 points. Grad-Transfer Olisa Blaise Akonobi (Abuja, Nigeria) just missed a double-double as he finished with nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Illinois was led by Mathew Mayor who finished with a game-high 21 points in the win.

> Alabama A&M shot 30.4 percent from the field going 17-of-56
> Illinois was 42.1 percent from the floor connecting on 24-of-57 shots
> The Bulldogs snatched 33 rebounds with 11 coming on the offensive glass
> The Ilinis pulled down 46 rebounds, 16 of them being offensive end
> AAMU held a 14-7 advantage in bench scoring
> Illinois held a 28-16 advantage in the paint

Stat of the Game
Alabama A&M only led once (3-0)
 
Next Up
The Bulldogs return to action on Thursday, December 22nd as they travel to Nashville to take on Vanderbilt University. Tip Off is set for 7 p.m.