MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama A&M (1-5, 1-1 SWAC) fell by a 4-3 score against Alcorn State (2-8,1-2 SWAC) in an NCAA Division I men's tennis match on Sunday, March 13.
 
The Bulldogs took the early lead in doubles as freshman Freddie Lawrence and junior German Ruiz Crespo (Mollina, Spain) defeated Santiago Rocca and Kareem Bowe 6-1 at No. 3 before freshman Divesh Gahlot (Haryana, India) and junior Cheng Chang (Koahsiung, Taiwan) were defeated by a narrow 6-4 decision by Luka Andonov and Luka Rodic at No. 2.
 
Senior Rodrigo Arana Rios (Playa Del Carmen, Mexico) and freshman Vence Ntcha then dropped a narrow 7-5 decision to David Pata and Lucas Dini at No.1 to close out doubles.
 
After a competitive doubles portion, the Bulldogs made their mark in singles as Matis Torres Ramis defeated Issac Santitto 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6 before Rios fell to Dini 6-2, 6-1 at No. 1. Sophomore Natiphat Mulada (Korat, Thailand) rallied to win the first set 6-4 at the three spot and was leading 4-1 when Andonov was forced to retire due to injury.
 
Ntcha fell 6-3, 6-4 to Pata at No. 2 before Lawrence battled through three sets, winning two with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 decision at No. 5 to deadlock at 3-3.
 
That would set the deciding match at No. 4 where Gahlot battled Rodic, dropping the first set 7-5 before rebounding for a 6-2 victory. In that final frame he fell by a narrow 6-4 margin as the Braves escaped with the 4-3 win.
 
Alabama A&M will return to the court tomorrow, Monday, March 14 as they take on Prairie View with first serve set for 10 a.m.
 
ALCORN STATE 4, ALABAMA A&M 3
Doubles

No. 1 David Pata/Lucas Dini (ALCN) def. Rodrigo Arana Rios/Vence Ntcha (AAMU) 7-5

No. 2 Luka Andonov/Luka Rodic (ALCN) def. Divesh Gahlot/Cheng Chang (AAMU) 6-4

No. 3 Freddie Lawrence/German Ruiz Crespo (AAMU) def. Santiago Rocca/Kareem Bowe (ALCN) 6-1

Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
 
Singles

No. 1 Lucas Dini (ALCN) def. Rodrigo Arana Rios (AAMU) 6-2, 6-1

No. 2 David Pata (ALCN) def. Vence Ntcha (AAMU) 6-3, 6-4

No. 3 Natiphat Mulada (AAMU) def. Luka Andonov (ALCN) 6-4, 4-1, retired

No. 4 Luka Rodic (ALCN) def. Divesh Gahlot (AAMU) 7-5, 2-6, 6-4

No. 5 Freddie Lawrence (AAMU) def. Santiago Rocca (ALCN) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1

No. 6 Matis Torres Ramis (AAMU) def. Isaac Santitto (ALCN) 6-1, 6-1

Order of Finish: 6,1,3,2,5,4