Bulldogs Stumble in Lackluster Second Half Against ASU

THE HILL | The men’s basketball squad from Alabama A&M University fell short after a lackluster beginning to the second half, allowing Alabama State to come back from a 13-point disadvantage and defeat the Bulldogs, 69-65, on Saturday during a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) clash at the AAMU Event Center.
 

Alabama A&M (6-12 overall, 2-3 SWAC) established a lead of as much as 13 points (37-24) in the first half, yet they were unable to convert a field goal in the last four minutes, enabling Alabama State (7-11, 3-2) to secure its initial win on the road this season. 
 
AC Bryant contributed 13 of his team-leading 17 points in the initial half, along with 10 rebounds for a double-double, complemented by two assists and one steal. Jaylen Colon scored nine points with three 3-pointers.
 
Amarr Knox and Micah Simpson each tallied 14 points for Alabama State. TJ Madlock recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
HOW IT OCCURRED

Alabama A&M restricted Alabama State to merely two field goals for almost 10 minutes as the Bulldogs established a 16-8 lead with 10:30 left in the first half. A jumper from TJ Madlock concluded the scoring drought for the Hornets, narrowing the deficit to 16-10 with 10:39 remaining.
 
The Hornets reduced the gap to 16-11 with 8:37 on the clock, but the Bulldogs responded and increased their lead to 28-18 following a three-pointer by Bryant with 4:27 to go.
 

Alabama A&M continued to widen the gap, extending it to 32-20 after a layup by Bryant with 3:01 remaining.
 
ASU narrowed the deficit to 32-24 after a bucket by TJ Madlock with 1:01 left in the half, but the Bulldogs ended the half strong, with free throws from Bilal Abdur-Rahman and a three-pointer by Jaylen Colon taking a 37-24 lead into the break.
 
The Bulldogs began the second half sluggishly, not scoring a field goal for over five minutes, while the Hornets diminished the gap to 40-35 after a three-pointer from Knox, and another by Simpson reduced the lead to a single point, 44-43, at 12:35.
 
Alabama State claimed its first lead since the early first half thanks to a trey from Knox with 11:18 remaining, but AAMU quickly retaliated as Colon buried a deep three-pointer, restoring the Bulldogs’ lead to 48-46 with 10:01 on the clock.
 
However, ASU unleashed a vigorous 11-3 run, concluding with free throws by Jalen Keago, giving the Hornets a 57-51 edge with 8:10 left.
 
Alabama State continued to build its advantage, stretching it to 60-53 following a fastbreak layup by Simpson at 7:38, but AAMU fought back as Darius Ford’s three-pointer trimmed the deficit to 64-62 with 4:35 remaining. 
 

Alabama A&M managed to close the gap to two points just one more time in the last four minutes as Alabama State recorded its first away victory of the season.
 
GAME DETAILS

• Alabama A&M had a shooting percentage of 33.9 percent (21-of-62) from the floor and 70.0 percent (14-of-20)
• The Bulldogs secured 41 rebounds, with 17 from the offensive end
• AC Bryant netted 13 of his team-leading 17 points in the first half while also grabbing 10 rebounds for a double-double, alongside two assists and one steal
• Jaylen Colon chipped in nine points via three three-pointers
• Alabama A&M concluded with 25 points from the bench, 22 points in the paint, 13 second-chance points, seven points from 10 ASU turnovers, and two fastbreak points
• Alabama State shot 23-of-67 (34.3 percent) and 17-of-25 (68.0 percent) from the free-throw line
• The Hornets accumulated 47 rebounds, with 27 being defensive
• Amarr Knox and Micah Simpson each scored 14 points
• TJ Madlock achieved a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds
• Alabama State accumulated 28 points in the paint, 27 from the bench, 20 points off 15 AAMU turnovers, 14 second-chance points, and 13 fastbreak points

 
UP NEXT  

Alabama A&M will continue its three-game conference home stand as the Bulldogs host Texas Southern next Saturday (Jan. 25). The game is set to commence at 4 p.m. from the AAMU Event Center and will be streamed on Bulldogs All-Access.
 

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