PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Alabama A&M could not complete their comeback efforts despite a crucial 11-0 run early in the second half, falling 60-57 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) women's action on Monday evening inside of the H.O. Clemmons Arena.
 
The Bulldogs (11-12, 9-4 SWAC) led just five minutes of play and trailed by as many as 11 in the contest. Meanwhile there were 11 lead changes and eight ties on the night.
 
The game started in back-and-forth fashion, with six lead changes in the first three minutes of play, followed by another two changes and pair of ties at the 4:26 mark of the opening frame.
 
Arkansas-Pine Bluff earned the first two-possession lead nearly a minute later as part of a 12-0 run to gain a 21-10 lead, the first double figure advantage of the game.
 
Amiah Simmons (Osawatomie, Kan.) ended the three-minute drought with a layup at the 1:05 mark, followed later by a score inside from Donee' Frazier (Lyndhurst, Ohio) to cut the deficit to 22-14 UAPB to close the first quarter.
 
The lead went back to double figures three times in the second, despite the Bulldogs pulling within six at the 4:27 mark, however fell behind for third time at 32-23 two minutes later, the same score that remained until halftime.
 
A&M began to fight back out of the break by opening the quarter with 11 straight points to take a 34-32, their first lead since the first period. From there, the teams remained close, with the lead changing hands again at the midway point.
 
After trailing by five with just over two minutes to go, the Bulldogs closed the gap on a layup from Toni Grace (Fishers, Ind.) and later tied the game again at 46-46 with a minute to play, before closing the quarter down 48-46.
 
A&M regained the edge with seven minutes to go on another basket from Simmons to make the score 50-48, where it stayed until the Golden Lions score inside to tie the game at the 3:55 mark.
 
Later, Arkansas-Pine Bluff took a four-point lead with under two minutes before a score from Jayla Cody (Valdosta, Ga.), however the lead went back to a two-possession game on the next possession at 58-54. The Bulldogs make three straight free throws to pull within a single point, before a final pair in response from UAPB sealed the game.
 
Simmons led the way again for A&M with 17 points, followed Grace who finished with a near double-double at nine points and eight boards on the night. Amani Free (Clay, N.Y.) added nine points and six rebounds in the outing, while Frazier put in eight points in the loss.

Up Next
Alabama A&M will return to Huntsville for their next matchup as they host Bethune-Cookman inside of the Event Center on Saturday, February 18, with the start of the doubleheader set for 3 p.m.
 
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