image via AAMU Basketball
Courtesy of Alabama A&M Athletics
MOBILE, Ala. | The Alabama A&M University men’s basketball team delivered a gritty performance on Monday night using late-game poise and clutch free-throw shooting to secure a 73–69 victory over Alabama State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game during the Bridge Builder Classic at the Mitchell Center.
The Bulldogs (10-8 overall, 3-2 SWAC) overcame 17 lead changes and 11 ties, closing the final seconds at the foul line to seal the rivalry win.
First Half – Back-and-Forth Battle
Alabama State (5-13, 2-3) struck first, opening on an 8–2 run, but Alabama A&M quickly answered behind defensive pressure and transition offense. Koron Davis ignited the Bulldogs with a fast-break dunk at the 17:06 mark, sparking an early momentum shift.
Sami Pissis drained a three-pointer off a turnover at 14:57 to tie the game, and the Bulldogs leaned on aggressive ball pressure throughout the half, forcing key turnovers that led to easy baskets.
Kintavious Dozier fueled the run with back-to-back fast-break layups midway through the half, giving AAMU a brief edge. Pissis followed with a pair of free throws in the closing minute, helping the Bulldogs take a slim 33–32 advantage into halftime.
Second Half – Free Throws and Defense Decide It
The second half mirrored the first with neither team able to pull away. Alabama State briefly regained the lead early, but Pissis responded with consecutive free throws to reclaim momentum.
Midway through the period, Dozier knocked down a crucial second-chance three-pointer at the 13:42 mark, putting Alabama A&M back in front. The Bulldogs extended the margin to six at the 8:24 mark following a turnover layup by Pissis.
Alabama State rallied to tie the contest at 57–57 with 7:15 remaining, but Gabe Kincy’ssecond-chance basket and Dozier’s three-pointer restored the Bulldogs’ edge.
With the score tied at 69 inside the final 20 seconds, Pissis converted a driving layup and free throw to put Alabama A&M ahead. Koron Davis then iced the game, knocking down four straight free throws in the final second after forcing a turnover.
By the Numbers
- Sami Pissis led all scorers with 22 points, adding four assists and four steals
- Kintavious Dozier finished with 19 points, including several key transition buckets
- Koron Davis added 12 points, including 8-for-10 shooting from the free-throw line
- Alabama A&M shot 82.8% from the free-throw line (24-of-29)
- The Bulldogs scored 21 fast-break points and forced 20 Alabama State turnovers
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M continues its road swing on Saturday when the Bulldogs visit Texas Southern. Tip-off against the Tigers is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. from the H&PE Arena and streamed on HBCU GO.
