AAMU Claws Past Alcorn in Last Four Minutes

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Tied with 4:38 remaining, Alabama A&M was able to make more plays down the stretch to get past the Alcorn State University men's basketball 71-62 Monday at T.M. Elmore Gym.
 
The score was even at 58-58 when AAMU (4-17, 3-4 SWAC) went on a decisive 9-0 run to leap ahead 67-58 with 44 seconds remaining. The Braves (6-14, 2-6 SWAC) got the deficit down to 67-62 with 23 seconds left, but the Bulldogs were able to close it out with a pair of dunks.
 
Most of the game was back-and-forth and featured six ties and six lead changes.
 
Reigning SWAC Player of the Week winner, sophomore Troymain Crosby turned in another all-around performance with 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
 
Juniors Maurice Howard and Deshaw Andrews notched team-highs of 11 points apiece. Junior Devon Brewer ended with eight points and six rebounds.
 
Howard played all 40 minutes in both games this weekend against AAMU and Alabama State.
 
The Bulldogs saw Andre Kennedy total 16 points and six rebounds. Tre Todd and Gerron Scissum scored 15 points apiece.
 
Alcorn trailed 13-7 early when it tied the game with a three-pointer by Howard and an old-fashion three-point play by junior Khari Jabriel Allen at the 9:40 mark. The Braves capped an 8-0 run to go up 15-13 on a pair of free throws by Andrews.
 
A lay-up by Brewer and two free throws by senior Reginal Johnson had Alcorn in front 19-15 with 5:54 left. Alcorn stayed ahead 30-26 at the half after Allen converted a lay-up with 13 seconds remaining.
 
The Braves scored the first two baskets of the second half on lay-ups by Andrews and Crosby to take their largest lead of the game 34-26. Though, a 6-0 spurt by the Bulldogs quickly trimmed it to 36-34 with 16:48 to go.
 
AAMU took its first lead of the half at the 13:23 mark, but a three-pointer by sophomore Kobe Wilson evened it at 50-50 with 8:53 remaining. A three-pointer by Allen put the Braves back ahead 57-56 with 6:18 left, but that was their last lead of the game.
 
Tied at 58, the Braves committed four turnovers and missed three field goals to open the door for AAMU's 9-0 run. The big momentum swinger was an and-one by Todd after a turnover to make it a 65-58 with 2:17 to go.
 
Up next, Alcorn will put its 6-2 home record on the line Saturday when it hosts Southern at 5:30 p.m. at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
 
NOTES
- It was Alcorn's first defeat to AAMU under head coach Montez Robinson who is in his fourth season. Robinson had won the previous six meetings, and carries a 35-27 career record in the SWAC.
 
- The Braves entered the game ranked second in the league in both scoring defense (70.0 ppg) and assists (12.9 apg). They were right near par, allowing 71 points and dishing out 12 assists against the Bulldogs.
 
- It was the third time this year that Alcorn did not have a shot blocked in a game.
 
- Howard logged 40 minutes for the fifth time in his career and fourth time this year. It was his 35th career double-figure scoring game and 13th this year. Howard has made at least one three-pointer in all 20 games this season.
 
- Andrews reached double-figures in scoring for the 10th time this year. It was the ninth time he had at least 10 points and five rebounds.
 
- Crosby continued his tear with his fifth straight double-figure scoring game, 10th this year and 21st in his career. In conference, he's leading the team in both points (13.6 ppg) and rebounds (5.6 rpg), and is second in assists.
 
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