HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | A 22-point performance from
Amiah Simmons wasn't enough as the Alabama A&M University women's basketball team saw its 13-game home winning streak come to an end on Friday in a 65-59 loss to Central Arkansas at the AAMU Event Center.
Alabama A&M (5-7) trailed by one entering the final period, but the Bulldogs shot 25 percent in the final quarter as the Sugar Bears pulled away for the road victory.
Simmons paced the Bulldogs with a game-high 22 points, going 7-of-15 from the floor, with six rebounds and three steals.
Alisha Wilson recorded nine points, eight rebounds and one assist.
Victoria Dixon chipped in eight points, four rebounds and three steals.
Kinley Fisher posted a team-high 20 points, three assists, one rebound and one steal to lead Central Arkansas (8-5). Jade Upshaw added 11 points, eight rebounds, two steals and one assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alabama A&M raced out to a 9-0 lead following a Wilson layup within the first three minutes of the opening quarter.
Central Arkansas answered with a 13-2 run, capped by a Elizabeth Abiara layup, as the Sugar Bears took a 13-11 advantage with 2:18 remaining in the first period. UCA closed out the first quarter with a 17-15 lead.
The Sugar Bears continued to extend the lead, pushing the margin 34-24 after a layup by Leah Mafua with 2:28 left in the half.
AAMU closed out the half using a 7-0 run, capped by a Simmons jumper, cutting the deficit 34-31 at the break.
Both teams went back-and-forth early in the third quarter, as Central Arkansas stretched the margin 41-35 following a layup from Kierra Prim with 7:35 remaining in the period.
Alabama A&M answered and tied the game at 45 after two free throws by Simmons with 1:32 left, but back came UCA as a three-point play by Mafua gave the Sugar Bears a 48-47 advantage entering the final quarter.
The Sugar Bears opened the final period strong, stretching the lead 61-53, capped by a Randera Wright layup with 4:38 remaining.
Alabama A&M could not respond, as Central Arkansas pulled away with the victory.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M shot 31.7 percent (20-of-63) from the floor and 94.4 percent (17-of-18) from the charity stripe
- AAMU pulled down 41 rebounds, 26 coming off the defensive glass
- Amiah Simmons recorded a game-high 22 points, six rebounds and three steals
- Alisha Wilson registered nine points, eight rebounds, and one assist
- Victoria Dixon tallied eight points, four rebounds and three steals
- The Bulldogs finished with 26 points in the paint, 14 bench points, 11 fastbreak points, 10 points off 14 UCA turnovers and eight second-chance points
- Central Arkansas went 27-of-60 (45 percent) from the floor and 80 percent (8-of-10) from the free throw line
- The Cougars grabbed 38 rebounds, with 25 coming off the defensive glass
- Kinley Fisher posted a team-high 20 points, three assists, one rebound and one steal
- Jade Upshaw added 11 points, eight rebounds, two steals and one assist
- The Sugar Bears finished with 40 points in the paint, 32 bench points, 19 points off 15 AAMU turnovers, 14 fastbreak points and six second-chance points
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M will begin Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on Sat. Jan 6. at Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. from the H.O. Clemmons Arena.
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).
