HUNTSVILLE, Ala.| A 20-point performance from Kaylah Turner helped the Alabama A&M University women's basketball team win their second consecutive game after defeating Alcorn State, 67-58, in a Southwestern Athletic Conference on Thursday Night at the AAMU Event Center.

Alabama A&M (7-8 overall, 2-1 SWAC) led by four with nearly five minutes left, but held Alcorn State to five points the rest of the way in picking up the home win.

Turner paced the Bulldogs with a team-high 20 points, on 8-of-14 shooting, tying a career-high in rebounds (seven) and steals (four). Amiah Simmons registered 16 points, on 7-of-14 shooting, with three assists, two steals and one board. Darian Burgin posted 11 points, while tying her career-high in steals (four).

Zy'Nyia White led Alcorn State (2-11, 0-2) with a game-high 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Destiny Brown added 20 points, nine boards, two assists and one block.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alabama A&M jumped out to an 11-5 advantage, following a Kaylin Nash free throw with 3:53 remaining in the opening period and outscored the Braves 8-3 down the stretch to take a 19-8 lead into the second period.

AAMU stretched its lead to 26-12 after a Burgin layup with seven minutes remaining in the half.

Alcorn State struggled to get anything going offensively, going nearly the final three minutes without a bucket as the Bulldogs took a 34-23 advantage into the break.

In the first three minutes of the second half, the Lady Braves closed the gap to 38-30 after a 3-pointer from Tyginae Wright.

Alcorn State used an 11-2 run, capped by a Nia McCalphia layup, tying the game at 40 with four minutes remaining in the third. 

A pull-up jumper from Turner sent the Bulldogs into the final quarter with a 47-43 lead.

Alabama A&M opened the final quarter strong, using a 10-2 run to push the margin to 57-47 with 7:54 remaining. However, Alcorn State quickly closed the gap to 57-53 following a 3-pointer by White with 4:31 left.

The Bulldogs responded as Burgin sank a pair of free throws, giving Alabama A&M a 66-56 lead with just over a minute remaining.

Alcorn State could not respond as Alabama A&M secured its second consecutive victory.
 
 GAME NOTES

• Alabama A&M shot 47.2 percent (25-of-53) from the floor and 66.7 percent (12-of-18) from the charity stripe
• AAMU pulled down 28 rebounds, 19 coming off the defensive glass
• Kaylah Turner recorded a team-high 20 points, seven rebounds four steals and one assist
• Amiah Simmons tallied 16 points, three assists and two steals
• Darian Burgin chipped in 11 points, four steals, two assists and one rebound
• The Bulldogs finished with 32 points off 23 ASU turnovers, 26 points in the paint, 17 bench points, 12 fastbreak points and five second-chance points
• Alcorn State went 20-of-47 shooting (42.6 percent) and 15-of-24 (62.5 pecent) from the charity stripe
• ASU recorded 36 rebounds with 24 coming off
• Zy'Nyia White finished with a game-high 21 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals
• Destiny Brown posted 20 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block
• Alcorn State finished with 28 points in the paint, 25 bench points, 16 points off 21 AAMU turnovers, seven second-chance points and five fastbreak points 

UP NEXT
Alabama A&M wraps up its short two-game homestand on Saturday as the Bulldogs play host to Jackson State. Tip-off against the Tigers is set for 2 p.m. from AAMU Event Center and 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).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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