HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University men's basketball team, the seventh seed in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Men's Basketball Tournament, begins quarterfinals play on Wednesday against the No. 2 seed, Alcorn State, at Bartow Arena.
The Bulldogs, seeking their first win over the Braves since 2020, will tip-off against Alcorn State at 2 p.m. in their quarterfinal matchup and streamed on ESPN+.
Alabama A&M (10-21) reached the conference tournament by winning two out of its last three games, including a 66-56 home victory on Saturday against Southern. Alcorn State (14-17) is by far one of the hottest teams coming into the tournament as the Braves are riding a nine-game winning streak after closing out the regular season with a 104-95 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.
HEAD COACH - OTIS HUGHLEY JR.
Career Record: 25-39 (second season)
At Alabama A&M: 25-39 (second season)
SWAC Record: 19-17
SERIES HISTORY [note: since 2004]
All-Time Record vs. Alcorn State: Alcorn State leads series, 21-19
Last 10 Meetings: Alcorn State leads, 8-2
Last Meeting: Alcorn State 74, Alabama A&M 71 (1/11/2024)
Hughley vs. Alcorn State: 0-2
Gallery: (3-9-2024) Alabama A&M vs. Southern
LAST MEETING VERSUS ALCORN STATE
Alcorn State led by four at the break and held off a late Alabama A&M rally for a 74-71 victory on Jan. 11.
Dailin Smith paced three AAMU players in double figures with 17 points and five boards, while
Lorenzo Downey chipped in 12 points.
Omari Peek added 11 points as the Bulldogs shot 46.3 percent from the floor.
Jeremiah Kendall posted a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Braves. Byron Joshua and Jeremiah Gambrell registered 12 and 10 points, respectively.
LAST TIME OUT – ALABAMA A&M
The Bulldogs shot nearly 47 percent from the floor and went to the foul line 28 times as Alabama A&M ended the regular season with a 66-56 victory over Southern on Saturday.
Cameron Tucker poured in 16 points, six assists and five rebounds, while
Chad Moodie came off the bench to record 14 points and four boards as the Bulldogs secured a spot in the SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament.
LAST TIME OUT – ALCORN STATE
The Braves shot 52. 4 percent for the game, including nearly 61 percent in the second half, as Alcorn State concluded the regular season with its ninth straight victory, 104-95, over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.
Six Alcorn State players posted double figures in scoring as Jeremiah Gambrell led the way with 28 points, while Byron Joshua added 20. Dekedran Thorn came off the bench to provide 18 points, while Jalyke Gaines-Watt tallied 12 points. Djahi Binet and Stephen Byard each registered 10 points.
TOP SCORERS
Alabama A&M
Omari Peek – 9.3 points
Cameron Tucker – 9.1 points
Jayland Randall – 6.8 points
Alcorn State
Jeremiah Kendall – 15.9 points
Jeremiah Gambrell – 13.2 points
Byron Joshua – 11.4 points
SWAC PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH IN PRESEASON POLL
Alabama A&M – seventh
Alcorn State – third
BIGGEST NON-CONFERENCE WIN
Alabama A&M – vs. Tennessee State (85-83, OT // Nov. 29, 2023)
UP NEXT
The winner of the Alabama A&M versus Alcorn State matchup will meet either No. 3 Texas Southern or No. 6 Jackson State in the SWAC Men's Basketball Tournament semifinals on Friday. Tip-off for the semifinals is set for 8:30 p.m. and streamed on ESPN+.
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