HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University men's basketball team seeks back-to-back victories for the second time this season as the Bulldogs conclude its two-game homestand on Monday night against Bethune-Cookman. Tip-off against the Wildcats during First Responders/Military Appreciation Night is set for 7:30 p.m. from the AAMU Event Center and streamed on Bulldogs All-Access.
Alabama A&M (4-17 overall, 3-5 SWAC) snapped a five-game losing streak on Saturday as the Bulldogs used a big second half to pull away for a 73-61 victory over Florida A&M in front of an AAMU Event Center record crowd of 3,913. Bethune-Cookman (10-11, 5-3) has won two out of its last three games, including a 79-68 victory on Saturday at Alabama State.
HEAD COACH - OTIS HUGHLEY JR.
Career Record: 19-35 (second season)
At Alabama A&M: 19-35 (second season)
SWAC Record: 13-13
SERIES HISTORY [note: since 1953]
All-Time Record vs. Bethune-Cookman: Bethune-Cookman leads, 15-8
Record in Huntsville: Series tied at 5
Last Meeting: Alabama A&M 90, Bethune-Cookman 56 (2/18/2023)
Hughley vs. Bethune-Cookman: 1-1
LAST MEETING
Alabama A&M dominated from the jump at the AAMU Event center as the Bulldogs led 42-22 at the break and didn't let off the gas in the second half for a 90-56 victory.
Cameron Tucker led three players in double figures with 14 points, four assists and three rebounds.
Dailin Smith tossed in 11 points and
Messiah Thompson added 10 points as Alabama A&M shot nearly 60 percent from the floor and 84 percent from the foul line.
Joe French, who now plays at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, registered 16 points, and Kevin Davis added 15 points for the Wildcats.
LAST TIME OUT – ALABAMA A&M
Dailin Smith led four in double figures, posting 15 points and four boards as the Bulldogs ended a five-game losing streak and won for the second time at home this season with a 73-61 victory over Florida A&M on Saturday.
Cameron Tucker recorded 12 points, while
Lorenzo Downey and
EJ Williams poured in 11 and 10 points, respectively, as the Bulldogs shot nearly 44 percent from the floor and scored 20 points off 16 FAMU turnovers.
LAST TIME OUT – BETHUNE-COOKMAN
The Wildcats trailed 38-31 at the break, but outscored Alabama State by 18 points, 48-30, in the second half in rallying for a 79-68 victory on Saturday.
Dhashon Dyson led four BCU players in double figures with 19 points and six rebounds. Zion Harmon added 16 points, while Reggie Ward Jr. registered a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds as the Wildcats picked up the road win.
TOP SCORERS
Alabama A&M
Dailin Smith – 14.2 points
Omari Peek – 8.3 points
Cameron Tucker – 7.8 points
Bethune-Cookman
Jakobi Heady – 16.0 points
Zion Harmon – 15.1 points
Dhashon Dyson – 13.9 points
SWAC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH IN PRESEASON POLL
Alabama A&M – seventh
Bethune-Cookman – ninth
NATIONAL STATISTICS
Alabama A&M
4
th – Free-throw attempts per game
6
th – Free-throws made per game
16
th – Bench points per game
Bethune-Cookman
2
nd – Steals per game
5
th – Fastbreak points
6
th – Turnovers forced per game
4
th – Zion Harmon – Free-throw percentage
10
th – Damani McEntire – Steals per game
14
th – Damani McEntire – Steals
BIGGEST NON-CONFERENCE WIN
Alabama A&M – vs. Tennessee State (85-83, OT // Nov. 29, 2023)
Bethune-Cookman – vs. Incarnate Word (96-82 // Dec. 1, 2023)
THE MARCH FOR 1,000 POINTS
Dailin Smith currently has 926 career points and needs 74 points to reach 1,000 career points
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M will return to the road for a pair of games in Louisiana, starting on Saturday in Baton Rouge against Southern. Tip-off against the Jaguars is set for 5:30 p.m. from the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
For complete 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).
