ATLANTA, Ga. | Kalia Walker finished with 31 points as the Alabama A&M University women's basketball team erased an early deficit and delivered a strong second-half performance to defeat Florida A&M, 72–68, on Wednesday morning in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Basketball Tournament at Gateway Center Arena.
Alabama A&M (22-9), which is riding an 18-game winning streak, advances to Friday's semifinal matchup and will meet the winner of the Southern/Jackson State game at 10 a.m. (CT). Florida A&M concludes its season at 9-22.
Walker led the Bulldogs with a dominant performance, finishing with 31 points, six rebounds and four assists, including key baskets in the final minutes. Aniya Palmer added 16 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Coriah Beck contributed 11 points and five assists.
Florida A&M controlled the early momentum, holding Alabama A&M to just eight points in the opening quarter while taking a 15-8 lead. The Bulldogs responded in the second period, shooting efficiently and outscoring the Rattlers 22-15 to send the game into halftime tied at 30-30.
The contest remained tight throughout the second half as both teams traded baskets and the lead shifted several times. Florida A&M briefly regained control late in the fourth quarter, but Alabama A&M came back with timely offense and defensive stops the stretch to secure the victory.
Alabama A&M, which reached the conference tournament semifinals for the first time since 2020, shot 46.3 percent from the field and controlled the paint with 40 points inside, while also forcing turnovers that led to 18 points.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M returns to action in the SWAC Women's Basketball Tournament semifinals on Friday as the Bulldogs await the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Southern and Jackson State game. Tip-off for the semifinal contest is set for 10 a.m. (CT) from the Gateway Center Arena and streamed on ESPN+.
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