In a decisive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) tournament clash, the Alabama A&M Bulldogs secured an 85-74 victory over the Texas Southern Tigers in the early hours of March 13, 2026. This win propels the Bulldogs deeper into the postseason bracket, while the Tigers see their campaign come to an end. The match was a classic tournament battle, characterized by intense defense and crucial scoring runs that ultimately swung in Alabama A&M's favor.
The game started with both teams trading baskets, but Alabama A&M began to find a rhythm from beyond the arc, building a modest lead in the first half. Texas Southern fought back with aggressive drives to the basket, keeping the deficit manageable heading into halftime. The second half saw the Bulldogs tighten their defensive pressure, forcing several key turnovers that they converted into fast-break points. A pivotal 10-2 run midway through the second half stretched the Bulldogs' lead to double digits, a margin the Tigers could never quite overcome despite several late surges. Alabama A&M's balanced scoring attack and composure at the free-throw line in the final minutes sealed the 11-point victory.
A key focus point was Alabama A&M's three-point shooting, which consistently provided an answer whenever Texas Southern threatened to close the gap. The Bulldogs also dominated the rebounding battle, particularly on the offensive glass, creating valuable second-chance opportunities. For Texas Southern, turnovers at inopportune moments proved costly, stalling their momentum just as they seemed poised to make a run.
With this result, Alabama A&M advances to the next round of the SWAC tournament, keeping their hopes for an automatic NCAA tournament bid alive. Texas Southern's season concludes with this defeat, finishing their conference tournament run. The Bulldogs will look to carry this momentum forward as they face stiffer competition on the road to the championship.
Post-match, the Alabama A&M coach praised his team's resilience, stating, "We knew Texas Southern would bring a physical game, and our guys responded. We shared the ball well and made the hustle plays when it mattered." The Texas Southern coach reflected on the season, saying, "It's a tough way to end, but I'm proud of our seniors. We just couldn't get enough stops in the second half."
The starting lineups featured Texas Southern's backcourt looking to push the pace, while Alabama A&M countered with a lineup designed for defensive versatility an