THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University women's basketball (18-8, 11-3 SWAC) team recorded the most victories during the Division I era in the program's histroy after defeating Florida A&M University 70-67 on Thursday evening.
The contest saw a back-and-forth battle, with the largest lead between either team being six points and lasting less than a minute. Kalia Walker paced the offense, scoring a team-high 21 points, and knocking down five of nine shots from beyond the arc. Walker also picked up a team high three assists and three steals. Alisha Wilson added 16 points, including six of eight from the line. Darian Burgin also finished in double figures, adding 10 points and led the Bulldog defense with six rebounds.
The Rattlers were led by Sabou Gueye, who recorded 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Cheyenne McEvans added 12 points and a team high nine rebounds. The Bulldogs improve to 8-1 in the overall series with FAMU, and AAMU head Coach Dawn Thornton remains unbeaten by the Rattlers,
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rattlers were first to get on the board, but AAMU scored six straight, including four points from Wilson
FAMU quickly responded, sinking a shot from beyond the arc to come within a point of the frame
Eve Alexander shot a triple to take the lead, but Walker sunk a three-pointer of her own to cut the Rattler control to just one point
A free throw from Eliya Ellis solidified the 16-15 first quarter, in favor of the Rattlers
Walker opened the second frame with a steal and score to tie the contest at 16 all.
Florida A&M went on a 6-0 run but would be halted by six consecutive Bulldog points to tie the contest at 22-22 going into the media timeout (4:25)
Pendleton recorded a three-point play to take a slim lead with just over three minutes remaining in the half.
The Rattlers sunk a three-pointer, but with just 10 seconds left,
Mailyn Wilkerson took a shot from beyond the arc to send the teams into the half with the Bulldogs ahead 28-27
The Bulldogs outscored the Rattlers 9-7 as the contest approached the media break of the third quarter (39-37)
Walker saw another shot from beyond the arc float to the bottom of the net with less than a minute and a half left in the third stanza
FAMU scored three more points to end the third quarter leveled at 45-45.
The final frame saw a tight score as each team traded points, but neither team going ahead by more than three
With less than one minute remaining, Walker saw another triple added to the Bulldog tally to take a two-point lead (68-66; 0:44)
After a Rattler free throw, Walker drove to the basket and scored a layup to extend the lead to three and force a FAMU stoppage.
A turnover and steal solidified the 70-67 contest in favor of the Bulldogs.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M shot 39 percent (23-59) from the field and 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from behind the arc
- AAMU went 17-25 (68 percent) from the line
- The Bulldogs grabbed 25 total rebounds, 21 of them defensively
- Walker led the Bulldogs with 21 points, three steals and three assists, including five of nine from beyond the arc
- Wilson finished with 16 points and five rebounds
- Darian Burgin added 10 points and a team high six rebounds
- The Bulldogs finished with 26 points in the paint, 16 bench points, and 19 points from 25 Rattler turnovers
- Florida A&M shot 45.8 percent (22-of-48) from the field, 80.0 percent from the line (16-of-20), and 53.8 percent (7-13) from behind the arc
- FAMU grabbed 39 rebounds
- Sabou Gueye led the Rattlers with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists
- Cheyenne McEvans added 12 points and a team high nine rebounds
- Florida A&M saw 24 points in the paint, 18 bench points, and eight points from 12 Bulldog turnovers
UP NEXT
The Alabama A&M University women's basketball team will host Bethune-Cookman for the last game in the AAMU Event Center this season. Saturday's game will also serve as senior day with celebratory recognitions to commence during the break between the women and men's games. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. and fans are encouraged to wear black for the Senior Day Black Out. Live streaming will be available via Bulldogs All-Access and tickets can be purchased here.
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics – Huntsville's only Division I program - check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).
