MIAMI,
Fla. | Amiah Simmons scored 15 of her season-high 23 points in the first half, but the Alabama A&M University women's basketball team came out the gate slowly in the second half as Texas State used a big run to rally for a 63-52 victory on Wednesday during the final day of the MTE Christmas Classic at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
Alabama A&M (5-6) led by 10 at halftime, 34-24,but Texas State (9-3) came out in the second half on a 13-0 run and outscored the Bulldogs, 22-2, in the third quarter and didn't look back in picking up the victory.
Simmons went 9-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-5 from the perimeter with a season-high 23 points, three assists, three boards and two steals.
Alisha Wilson recorded a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals, while
Victoria Dixon added seven points and an assist.
Timia Jefferson paced the Bobcats offense with a team-high 17 points, on 7-of-10 shooting, along with seven boards and two steals. Jaylin Foster chipped in 13 points, two rebounds and a steal.
Gallery: (12-20-2023) Alabama A&M vs. Texas State
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alabama A&M began the game with a 9-7 advantage following a Simmons 3-pointer with 3:49 remaining in the first period. The Bulldogs finished the quarter with a 17-15 lead.
Texas State cut the deficit to 22-19 after a free throw from Julia Coleman with 6:24 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bobcats went three minutes without a field goal as AAMU went on an 12-0 run, capped by a KailynNash free throw as the Bulldogs built a 34-19 advantage with 3:52 remaining in the first half.
A 3-pointer from Ja'niah Henson trimmed the margin to 10, as Alabama A&M went into the break leading 34-24.
The Bobcats opened the third on a 13-0 run following a Foster 3-pointer, grabbing the 37-34 lead with 3:32 left in the third period.
Texas State held the Bulldogs scoreless for the last three minutes of the quarter as the Bobcats extended the lead to 46-36 following a Jefferson layup.
AAMU went cold from the floor, going more than three minutes without a field goal as Texas State extended the advantage 54-38 after two free throws by Foster with 5:33 remaining.
The Bulldogs never got closer than 11 points down the stretch.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M shot 35.8 percent (19-of-53) from the floor and 58.8 percent (10-of-17) from the charity stripe
- AAMU pulled down 38 rebounds, 24 coming off the defensive glass
- Amiah Simmons recorded a game-high 23 points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals
- Alisha Wilson registered a double-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals
- Victoria Dixon chipped in seven points and an assist
- The Bulldogs finished with 26 points in the paint, 13 bench points, 12 points off 17 TXS turnovers, five second-chance points and two fastbreak points
- Texas State went 17-of-56 (30.4 percent) from the floor and 88.5 percent (23-of-26) from the free throw line
- The Bobcats grabbed 39 rebounds, with 22 coming off the defensive glass
- Timia Jefferson posted 17 points, seven rebounds and two steals
- Jaylin Foster tallied 13 points, two rebounds and one steal
- The Bobcats finished with 26 points off 22 AAMU turnovers, 20 points in the paint, 13 bench points, 12 second-chance points and four fastbreak points
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns home Friday, Dec. 29 against Central Arkansas. Tip-off against the Sugar Bears is set for 2 p.m. from the AAMU Event Center and is streamed on Bulldogs All-Access.
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).
