THE HILL | The Alabama A&M women's basketball team is set to open regular season action as they welcome Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponent, No. 24 University of Alabama on Thursday. Tip- off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the AAMU Event Center and streamed on Bulldogs All-Access.
AAMU went 15-16 overall and 10-8 in Southwestern Atlantic Conference (SWAC) play last season, and reached the quarterfinals in the conference tournament, where they fell 82-74 to Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
The Bulldogs usher in a new era, bringing in head coach Dawn Thornton to the helm of the AAMU women's basketball program. She brings in 12 transfer players, including Shelomi Sanders of the University of Colorado, Lauryn Pendleton of Arkansas State and SWAC Preseason All-SWAC First Team honoree, Coriah Beck. The Maroon and White return Darian Burgin, LaCambria Shakespeare and SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, Alisha Wilson.
Alabama A&M opened the season with an exhibition contest at home against the Oakwood University Ambassadors, claiming victory by a 96-50 margin.
The game saw three Bulldogs in double figures, paced by Wilson's 25 points, 22 rebounds and three steals. Senior transfer Lauryn Pendleton added 17 points and Junior Shelomi Sanders recorded 14 of her own. Sophomore Aniya Palmer helped pace the Bulldog defense with seven rebounds and three steals on the night. Senior Kourtney Rittenberry led the team with four assists. AAMU dominated from within the arc, notching 42 points in the paint. The Maroon and White went 14-20 from the line and saw 31 points from the bench.
The Crimson Tide enters this season ranked in the Preseason Associated Press Top 25 women's basketball poll for the first time since the 1998-99 season. The 2024-25 season serves as the 50th Crimson Tide season and the 12th under head coach Kristy Curry.
Alabama concluded the 2023-24 season earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years, as the team finished 23-9 in the regular season and 10-6 in conference play.UA welcomes back key starters in Sarah Ashlee Barker, Essence Cody and Aaliyah Nye from last year's NCAA Tournament team. Barker and Nye both earned Preseason All- Southeastern Conference accolades.
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