Alabama A&M Holds Off Florida A&M 63-61 Behind James Graham III's 27 Points

The Alabama A&M Bulldogs, led by James Graham III's 27 points, managed to hold off the Florida A&M Rattlers 63-61 in a closely contested matchup at the Al Lawson Center, securing their 16th win of the season. This game was a Quadrant 4 matchup for both teams, with Alabama A&M looking to improve their postseason chances and Florida A&M seeking to boost their resume. The Bulldogs' victory was a reflection of their resilience, as they withstood a late surge from the Rattlers to emerge victorious. Florida A&M, who had been averaging 73.8 points per game over their last 5 contests, were held to just 61 points, 12.8 points below their recent average.

The first half saw both teams struggle to find their rhythm, with Alabama A&M and Florida A&M each scoring 31 points. The Bulldogs' James Graham III was the standout performer in the half, scoring 15 points to lead his team. The Rattlers' Tyler Shirley was close behind, with 13 points of his own. The second half was just as tightly contested, with Alabama A&M outscoring Florida A&M 32-30. The Bulldogs' ability to limit the Rattlers' scoring opportunities was crucial, as they held Florida A&M to just 30 points in the half, 9.8 points below their average over the last 5 games.

James Graham III's performance was the difference-maker in this game, as he hit several big shots to keep the Bulldogs ahead. He was aided by Kintavious Dozier, who chipped in with 11 points, and Sami Pissis, who added 9 points. For Florida A&M, Tyler Shirley was the top performer, scoring 23 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. However, he received little support from his teammates, with only Antonio Baker Jr. reaching double figures with 10 points. Micah Octave's 8 points and 10 rebounds were a notable contribution, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bulldogs' balanced attack. Graham III's ability to score from anywhere on the court, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, made him nearly unstoppable.

The CHD Scout had predicted a close game, with Alabama A&M favored by just 0.4 points. This prediction ultimately proved correct, as the Bulldogs emerged victorious by a margin of 2 points.

The model's accuracy can be attributed to its ability to account for the recent trends of both teams. Alabama A&M had been averaging 70 points per game over their last 5 contests, while allowing 70.8 points per game. Florida A&M, on the other hand, had been averaging 73.8 points per game, but allowing 79 points per game. The model likely took into account the Bulldogs' stronger defensive performance, which ultimately was the deciding factor in the game. The Bulldogs' defense held the Rattlers to 40.7% shooting from the field, including just 25% from beyond the arc.

The implications of this win for Alabama A&M are significant, as it keeps them in the hunt for a postseason berth. With their NET rank currently at 305, this Quadrant 4 victory could potentially improve their standing.

This win may not have drastically altered Alabama A&M's tournament picture, but it certainly keeps them in the conversation. A loss would have likely dropped them out of consideration, but the victory ensures they remain a viable candidate. For Florida A&M, the loss is a setback, but not a devastating one. Their NET rank of 333 makes a postseason berth unlikely, but they can still play spoiler and affect the fortunes of other teams in their conference. The Rattlers' recent trend of being outscored by 5.2 points per game over their last 5 contests is a concern, and they must address this issue if they hope to finish the season strong.

As the season enters its final stretch, Alabama A&M want to build on this momentum. With 3 wins in their last 5 games, they are trending in the right direction. Their upcoming schedule includes several winnable games, and if they can continue to perform at this level, they may find themselves in the postseason conversation. Florida A&M, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus. With 2 wins in their last 5 games, they are struggling to find consistency. Their recent form has been marked by inconsistency, with a 100-96 win over Prairie View A&M followed by a 57-62 loss to Texas Southern. If they can find a way to string together some wins, they may still be able to make a push for a postseason berth.

In the end, Alabama A&M's 63-61 victory over Florida A&M was a hard-fought win that keeps them in the hunt for a postseason berth. James Graham III's 27 points were the difference-maker, and the Bulldogs' defense was strong enough to limit the Rattlers' scoring opportunities. As the season enters its final stretch, Alabama A&M want to build on this momentum and make a push for the postseason. With their NET rank of 305 and a Quadrant 4 win under their belt, they are certainly a team to watch in the coming weeks.