MIAMI, Fla. | Amiah Simmons poured in a game-high 21 points and was one of four players in double figures as the Alabama A&M University women's basketball team opened the MTE Christmas Classic with an 80-43 blowout win over Chicago State on Monday afternoon at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

Alabama A&M (5-4) led 34-25 at the break and used a 12-4 run as part of a 30 point third quarter to pull away for the win.

Simmons tied a career for 3-pointers, with four, and registered 21 points, five boards and four assists. She also finished just four points shy of tying her career high in points. Kaylah Turner recorded 12 points along with a career-high seven rebounds and four assists. Chynell Mitchell posted a career-high 10 points with two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Alisha Wilson chipped in 10 points, five boards and one steal.

Jacia Cunningham recorded a team-high 13 points, with four boards and a steal for Chicago State (0-18). Taylor Norris tallied 10 points, with seven rebounds and one steal.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Chicago State (0-18) raced out to an 8-5 lead after a Laura Segues layup with 4:49 in the opening period.

Alabama A&M battled back and used a 9-4 run, capped by two free throws by Simmons as the Bulldogs grabbed a 14-12 advantage with 1:10 remaining.

Darian Burgin's layup gave AAMU a 16-12 lead, but Chicago State got a jumper by Cunningham to close out the first period, 16-14.

Alabama A&M broke open a close game as Mitchell drained back-to-back jumpers as the Bulldogs took a 34-25 lead into the break.

The Bulldogs began the second half with a 12-4 run, capped by a layup by Victoria Dixon extending the lead to 46-29.

The Cougars were held to 12 points in the third as Alabama A&M took a commanding 63-37 advantage into the final period.

Chicago State could not overcome the huge deficit, as Alabama A&M secured the victory.

GAME NOTES

• Alabama A&M shot 44.6 percent (33-of-74) from the floor and 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from the charity stripe
• AAMU pulled down 47 rebounds, 29 coming off the defensive glass
• Amiah Simmons recorded a game-high 21 points, five rebounds and four assists
• Kaylah Turner registered 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals
• Alisha Wilson tallied 10 points, five rebounds and a steal
• Chynell Mitchell chipped in 10 points, two assists, two rebounds and one steal
•  The Bulldogs finished with 42 points in the paint, 28 points off 23 CSU turnovers, 27 bench points, 10 second-chance points and eight fastbreak points
• Chicago State went 18-of-59 (30.5 percent) from the floor and 70 percent (7-of-10) from the free throw line
• The Cougars grabbed 38 rebounds, with 25 coming off the defensive glass
• Jacia Cunningham posted a team-high 13 points, four rebounds and one steal
• Taylor Norris added 10 points, seven rebounds and a steal
•  The Cougars finished with 22 points in the paint, 12 second chance points, 12 bench points, 11 points off 14 AAMU turnovers and six fastbreak points

 
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M continues play in the MTE Christmas Classic on Tuesday against host FIU. Tip-off is set for 11 a.m. (CT) at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center and streamed on ESPN+.
 
 For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com.  Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics) and Twitter (@_aamuathletics).
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