Alabama A&M 64, Ark.-Pine Bluff 52

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Marcus Young scored 13 points to lead Alabama A&M to a 64-52 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday night in the first round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament.

The Bulldogs (16-13) led by as much as 18 points. The game saw six lead changes and three ties in the first eight minutes, but the Bulldogs (16-13) grabbed a 14-12 lead on a 3-pointer by Rick Ricketts at the 12:59 mark. The Bulldogs then went on a 14-2 run to widen the margin to 28-14 at the 7:32 mark on a 3-pointer by Obie Trotter.

The Bulldogs led 41-30 at halftime and started the second half with a 7-0 run but the Golden Lions (8-20) answered with a 7-0 run of their own to bring the score to 37-49. A layup by William Byrd slashed the lead to 10 points at 56-46 at the 8:30 mark. But the Bulldogs did not let their lead dip below double digits for the remainder of the game.

Andre Matthews added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Larry Williams led the Golden Lions with a game-high 15 points. Tamarius Brown added eleven.

Alabama A&M will play Jackson State on Friday night.