Image via Arnold `Cadayona
Courtesy of AAMU Athletics
HOUSTON, Texas | The Alabama A&M University men’s basketball team led by as many as 16 points in the second half but could not slow down Texas Southern as the Tigers stormed back for an 89-74 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory on Saturday at the H&PE Arena.
The Bulldogs (10-9 overall, 3-3 SWAC) led 54-38 with 16:34 remaining. However, Texas Southern (5-13, 3-4) caught fire over the final 15 minutes and outscored AAMU in the second half, 57-32, to pick up the conference win.
Kintavious Dozier led AAMU with 16 points, on 6-of-12 shooting, with three rebounds. Koron Davis recorded 15 points, three boards, one assist, one steal and one block, while Sami Pissis tossed in 13 points, a team-high seven assists, three boards and a pair of steals. James Graham III chipped in 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Jaylen Wysinger paced Texas Southern with 23 points, on 7-of-11 from the floor, while Troy Hupstead tallied 17 points, and six boards. Alex Anderson tossed in 16 points, five assists, five boards and three steals as the Tigers shot 70.4 percent (19-of-27) from the floor in the second half.
First Half
Alabama A&M opened the game with strong energy on both ends, answering an early Texas Southern push with perimeter shooting and interior finishes. Koron Davisignited the Bulldogs with a fast-break three at the 17:47 mark, sparking a run that gave AAMU its first lead of the game.
The Bulldogs continued to find success attacking the paint, with Graham and Dozier converting on second-chance opportunities to keep the pressure on the Tigers. A late three from Dozier and a pair of free throws by Graham helped Alabama A&M close the half on a strong note.
Alabama A&M entered halftime with a 42–32 advantage after shooting 51.6 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes and holding Texas Southern to just 32 points.
Second Half
The Bulldogs extended their lead to as many as 16 points early in the second half following baskets from P.J. Eason and Graham, forcing Texas Southern to burn an early timeout.
Texas Southern responded with an aggressive push in transition, trimming the deficit behind Jaylen Wysinger and Zytarious Mortle. The Tigers used a 12–2 run midway through the half to pull within single digits, then tied the game at 58–58 following a Mortle three-pointer with 10:49 remaining.
From there, Texas Southern seized control. The Tigers scored on consecutive possessions to take the lead and never relinquished it, capitalizing on turnovers and fast-break chances down the stretch. A late three by Alex Anderson with 18 seconds remaining capped the scoring and sealed the result.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M closes out its road swing on Monday when the Bulldogs visit Prairie View A&M. Tip-off against the Panthers is scheduled for 6 p.m. from the William J. Nicks Building and streamed on SWAC TV.
