LORMAN, Miss. –
Keondre Montgomery was one of five Braves in double-figures scoring on Saturday evening, as Alcorn took down Alabama A&M by a score of 89-76 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) men's basketball action taking place at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
Alcorn (4-10, 1-1 SWAC) led 45-31 at the half behind an intense 45.5 percent first half shooting mark from long range – as well as a searing Alcorn defensive press.
After falling behind early-on, Alcorn used the three-ball from
Keondre Montgomery, as well as driving shots in the paint from
Byron Joshua to gain a 10-9 lead with 15:11 remaining in the opening half.
Alabama A&M (6-10, 2-1) stayed close on the strength of Garrett Hicks at the guard position, as the Bulldogs trailed 16-15 following his fast break layup with 11:51 showing on the clock.
Jeremiah Kendall would score all four points during a 4-0 Alcorn run to push the Braves' lead out to 22-15, before the Bulldogs' Olisa Blaise Akonobi and Dailin Smith combined to bring the visitors to within 24-23 moments later. With the Purple and Gold holding a 26-25 edge, Alcorn sprinted to a 16-2 run on the strength of Montgomery and
Dominic Brewton over the course of the next four minutes.
Following Montgomery's three-pointer from the top of the key, the Braves led 42-27 with 1:40 left in the half.
The Braves picked up right where they left off to start the second half, using
Dekedran Thorn and Montgomery – combined with the physical play of
Dontrell McQuarter in the paint, to collect their largest lead of the game at 61-33 less than five minutes into the second period.
Alabama A&M slowly worked itself back into the game as Xavier Brewer poured in five points off the bench, mixed with the second half play of Omari Peek as a reserve (scoring 11 points for his side in the half), to cut the lead for the Braves at 79-70 following Brewer's free throw with 3:01 remaining in the game.
But the Purple and Gold would close the game with Brewton scoring four of his 21 points on the evening over the last two minutes to earn the Braves' first conference win of the season – and ending the Bulldogs unbeaten run in league play as well.
Overall, the Braves shot 45.2 percent from the field, in addition to 46.7 percent from the three-point line.
Alcorn controlled the boards with a 32-23 edge in rebounding, while the Alabama A&M bench outscored the Braves, 42-24.
Leading the scoring for the Bulldogs was Smith with 15 points and three assists, followed by Jayland Randall (12), Peek (11) and Thompson (10).
Alcorn used a 24-point night from Montgomery, as he shot 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, adding three rebounds and three blocks. Brewton poured in 21 points and collected four rebounds with his three assists. Also reaching double-figures scoring was Thorn (13), Kendall (12) and Joshua (12). Joshua added four assists, while Kendall supplied eight rebounds.
Alcorn is back in action Monday, Jan. 9, when the Braves welcome Alabama State to the Davey L. Whitney Complex for a SWAC matchup slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.
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