title image via Ryan Young
Courtesy of Aliyah McDaniel | Assistant Athletics Communications Director
Looking to capitalize off the best pre-season start in the last 15 years, the Alabama A&M women’s basketball team will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana for the Tulane Holiday Classic where they will face either Central Arkansas or the University of Louisiana-Monroe, in addition to the host team, this weekend.
The Bulldogs will face off with the Green Wave on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The game will be live streamed on ESPN+ with Jack Benjamin and Tiffany Aidoo on the call. This will serve as the first time AAMU and Tulane have faced off. Depending on Friday’s results, AAMU will face either Central Arkansas or ULM on Saturday at either 12:30 or 2:30 p.m. The Bulldogs have never competed against ULM and are 1-1 versus UCA.
The 6-3 Bulldogs continue their eight-game road stretch after a historic win over the University of North Alabama, notching their first win in Florence. Senior Alisha Wilson earned her 1000th career rebound and senior Kalia Walker notched a career-high 30 points as AAMU topped the in-state foe, 80-77, on Tuesday evening. Darian Burgin tallied a season-high 15 points including four rebounds and two steals. Defensively, Jaiyah Harris-Smith paced the Bulldogs, picking up nine rebounds.
A 5-4 Tulane is looking to continue its home winning streak, picking up victories over both North Dakota State and Mercer University at the Avron B. Fogelman Arena. The Green Wave has faced three Southeastern Athletic Conference (SEC) opponents this season, dropping road contests to the University of Missouri and Louisiana State University, and just surpassing the University of Florida Gators, 83-81, in the St. Pete Showcase on Thanksgiving Day. Alabama A&M will serve as the third Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponent on the Tulane schedule, as Tulane topped both Grambling State (89-65) and Jackson State (77-37) earlier this season.
The Central Arkansas Sugar Bears are 6-2 this season, falling only to Big 12 opponents Oklahoma State and Kansas State. Jade Upshaw paces UCA in points, averaging 17.1 points through eight games. Elizabeth Abiara leads the Sugar Bears defense, picking up 45 boards through eight games and no starts. Randrea Wright and Leah Mafua lead UCA in assists and Steals, with 19-11 and 18-11 respectively.
ULM opened their season with three straight wins before dropping six consecutive contests, including three losses to SEC opponents (Alabama 75-52, Georgia Tech 97-37, Mississippi State 78-70). The Warhawks were picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Poll, with Jakayla Johnson and Katlyn Manuel being selected to the All- Sun Belt First and Second teams respectively. Johnson and Meloney Thames lead the Warhawks offensively, both averaging in double figure points. Sakyia White and Laila Walker both average over 6 rebounds.
Tickets for the tournament are $6 and can be purchased here. Complimentary parking for the Tournament is available in the Loyola Garage on Freret Street beginning one our prior to the start of the event.
