'Underdogs' Deliver as State Spoils A&M's Tourney Push

Alabama A&M, the Bulldogs, hosted Alabama State, the Hornets, at the Event Center in a closely contested matchup. The final score read 89-88 in favor of the Hornets, a one-point margin that epitomized the back-and-forth nature of the contest. The Hornets' strong first-half performance, highlighted by a 50-44 advantage, set the tone for the game, but the Bulldogs refused to back down, ultimately forcing overtime.

The Hornets' narrow victory, coupled with their NET ranking of #319, marked a significant upset over the Bulldogs, who entered the game as the lower-ranked team at #306. The game's close score, particularly in the second half, where the Bulldogs outscored the Hornets 44-39, suggested that the outcome hung in the balance until the very end.

A 29-point, 10-rebound performance from Micah Simpson set the tone for Alabama State, showcasing his dominance in the paint. His 8-for-11 shooting from the field and 5-for-8 marksmanship from three-point range made him a formidable force, and his 3 assists demonstrate his ability to facilitate the offense. Simpson's clutch shooting down the stretch was instrumental in Alabama State's narrow victory.

Tyler Mason played a crucial supporting role, scoring 20 points and grabbing 6 rebounds while shooting 9-for-10 from the field. His efficiency in the paint was matched by his ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc, as evidenced by his lone three-pointer. Mason's production was vital in helping Alabama State maintain a lead throughout the contest. Tyler Byrd, a freshman standout, chipped in with 12 points, although his limited rebounding and assist numbers were somewhat offset by his efficient shooting, going 5-for-8 from the field.

Koron Davis's 26 points on 11-20 shooting were a highlight for Alabama A&M, but his inability to capitalize on late-game opportunities proved costly. Despite the loss, Davis's performance was a testament to his scoring prowess, even if it wasn't enough to propel his team to victory.

The team's leading scorer, Koron Davis, was supported by Jalen Carruth, who finished with 16 points on 5-5 shooting from the field, including 3-3 from beyond the arc. His efficient shooting was a positive, but ultimately, it wasn't enough to overcome Alabama State's strong defense. Bilal Abdur-Rahman's 13 points, combined with his four assists, showed his all-around skillset, but his team's inability to capitalize on his efforts resulted in a narrow defeat.

The remaining players from both teams largely adhered to their season averages.

The pre-game prediction of a 5.8-point Alabama A&M victory proved to be misguided, as Alabama State pulled off a 1-point upset. While the Crimson Tide's impressive shooting percentages on both two-point and three-point attempts, as well as their increased rebounding rate, seemed to bode well for them, the Hornets' own strong shooting and relatively even rebounding rate ultimately proved to be the decisive factors.

Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Alabama A&M's inflated three-point shooting percentage, which soared to 47.6% from the season average of 33.8%, played a significant role in the outcome. Meanwhile, Alabama State's ability to maintain a relatively high effective field goal percentage despite being out-rebounded suggests that they were able to adapt and capitalize on scoring opportunities elsewhere on the court. Additionally, the Hornets' own increased shooting efficiency, particularly in the three-point range, allowed them to compensate for their slightly lower rebounding rate and ultimately secure the win.

With this crucial Quad 4 victory, Alabama State's SWAC conference tournament hopes received a much-needed boost, as they now hold a one-game advantage over Alabama A&M in the loss column. The Hornets' win also puts them in a favorable position to potentially secure a higher seed in the conference tournament, which could translate to a more favorable draw in the early rounds. Meanwhile, Alabama A&M's loss has put them in a precarious situation, as they must now win two more games in the conference tournament to surpass Alabama State in the standings, a daunting task given the Hornets' momentum. The Bulldogs will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to catch their rival and secure a chance at the conference championship.

Alabama State's Quad 4 win is a Quad 4 win.