PINE BLUFF, Ark. | Three Alabama A&M University women's basketball players posted double figures as the Bulldogs rolled past Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 72-49, in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Saturday at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Alabama A&M (5-9 overall, 1-1 SWAC) shot 35.5 percent in the opening half and held Arkansas-Pine Bluff to just two field goals in the second period in taking a 34-18 advantage into the break. The Bulldogs pulled away in the second half, using a 21-point third period to cruise to the conference win.
Kalia Walker paced Alabama A&M with 17 points, including going 10-for-10 at the free throw line, along with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Rakiyah Beal went 7-for-11 from the floor to finish with 16 points, three boards, three assists and a pair of steals.
Jaida Belton recorded a double-double with 17 boards, 13 points, three blocks and one assist.
Indiya Bowen posted 11 points, four boards, three assists and two steals to lead UAPB. Jailah Pelly and Jayla Cornelius each registered 10 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alabama A&M jumped out to a 16-6 advantage after a
Moses Davenport layup with just over three minutes to play in the opening quarter and the Bulldogs took a 19-12 lead into the second period.
AAMU stretched its lead to 25-12 after a
Kamiyha Griffin bucket with just over eight minutes to play in the half and extended the advantage to 30-15 after a free throw by Walker with exactly three minutes to play.
The Bulldogs cruised over the final three minutes and took a commanding 34-18 lead into the break.
Alabama A&M extended its lead to 43-23 with 7:16 remaining in the third after a layup by Belton and pushed the advantage to 60-37 after a pair of Beal free throws with just under seven minutes to play.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-9, 0-2) could not recover from the huge deficit.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M shot 44.4 percent (24-of-54) from the floor and 90.9 percent (20-of-22) from the free-throw line
- The Bulldogs grabbed 41 rebounds, including 17 on the offensive glass
- Kalia Walker registered 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals
- Rakiyah Beal chipped in 16 points, three boards, three assists and a pair of steals
- Jaida Belton recorded a double-double with 17 boards, 13 points, three blocks and one assist
- Alabama A&M finished with 38 points in the paint, 23 points off 16 UAPB turnovers, 17 bench points, 15 second-chance points and six fastbreak points
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff went 16-of-43 shooting (37.2 percent) and 11-of-23 (47.8 percent) from the charity stripe
- The Golden Lions grabbed 23 rebounds, with 14 coming on the defensive glass
- Indiya Bowen posted 11 points, four boards, three assists and two steals
- Jailah Pelly and Jayla Cornelius each registered 10 points
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff finished with 20 points in the paint, 19 bench points, 12 points off 15 AAMU turnovers, nine-second chance points and five fastbreak points
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to action on Thursday when the Bulldogs welcome Jackson State to the AAMU Event Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and streamed on SWAC TV.
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).
