GRAMBLING, La. | James Graham III recorded a career-high 19 points as the Alabama A&M University men's basketball team ended a two-game losing streak on Monday night with a 66-58 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) win over Grambling State at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
Graham scored 11 of his game-high 19 points in the second half to pace Alabama A&M. He also added one rebound and one assist.
Kintavious Dozier registered 13 points, four steals, three assists and two boards, while
Sami Pissis chipped in 11 points, five boards and a pair of steals.
Roderick Coffee II led Grambling State with 17 points, including going 9-of-11 from the foul line, with four assists and three assists and two steals. Jamil Muttilib posted 12 points, three blocks, three boards, one assist and one steal.
First Half
Alabama A&M (13-11 overall, 6-5 SWAC) set the tone immediately. After a stop on the opening possession, Dozier knocked down a transition three and followed it with a fast-break layup off another takeaway to push the Bulldogs ahead 5–0 inside the first two minutes. Graham then got to the line twice, and AAMU continued to capitalize on turnovers, extending the margin to 12–3 with 14:55 left after Pissis buried a catch-and-shoot three.
The Bulldogs' pressure kept Grambling State off balance. A steal-and-score by Dozier and a dunk from Graham stretched the lead to double figures, and a
Tajden Davis corner three capped a late 10–0 run that made it 34–20. Alabama A&M closed the half on top 36–23, shooting 50 percent and holding the Tigers to 24 percent from the floor.
Second Half
Graham opened the half with a strong finish inside, and Alabama A&M continued to pound the paint. Back-to-back buckets from Graham and a spot-up three off a turnover pushed the lead to 48–28 with 13:32 remaining—its largest of the night.
Grambling State (11-12, 5-5) responded with energy, trimming the margin behind offensive rebounds and free throws. A three at the 3:21 mark cut it to eight, but Pissis answered with a pull-up jumper and later calmly converted at the line to steady the Bulldogs.
Down the stretch, Dozier and
Koron Davis iced it at the stripe. Dozier hit both free throws with five seconds left, sealing the 66–58 victory after Alabama A&M led for nearly the entire 40 minutes.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns home for a pair of SWAC games, starting on Saturday with Love & Basketball/Greek Night as the Bulldogs welcome Mississippi Valley State to the AAMU Event Center. Tip-off against the Delta Devils is set for 4 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).
