HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — Alabama A&M overcame a four-point halftime deficit with a dominant second half to defeat Jackson State 100-91 in a SWAC men’s basketball game Monday night at T. M. Elmore Gymnasium. The Bulldogs, trailing 40-36 at halftime, erupted for 64 points after intermission to secure the conference victory before a crowd of 2,823. The Tigers scored 51 in the second half but could not match the home team’s offensive surge. The result improved Alabama A&M’s record to 9-8 overall. Jackson State fell to 3-13. The total score of 191 points far exceeded the pregame over/under line of 142.5.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game that defied its pregame projections and transformed from a defensive struggle into an offensive spectacle, Alabama A&M overcame a halftime deficit with a dominant second-half performance to defeat Jackson State 100-91 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium. The contest, played before a crowd of 2,823, featured a staggering 64-point second-half outburst from the home Bulldogs, who erased a four-point halftime hole to secure the victory and improve to 9-8 overall. Jackson State, despite a heroic individual effort, fell to 3-13. The narrative of the game was one of two starkly different halves. The first was a tightly contested, if sometimes sloppy, affair that saw Jackson State take a 40-36 lead into the break. The Tigers were paced by the dynamic play of guard Daeshun Ruffin, who began orchestrating the offense early. Alabama A&M, meanwhile, relied on spurts from Kintavious Dozier and Sami Pissis to stay within striking distance. The second half, however, belonged unequivocally to Alabama A&M. The Bulldogs emerged from the locker room with relentless energy, immediately seizing control with a 13-2 run in the opening minutes. The surge was fueled by defensive pressure that forced a series of Jackson State turnovers, which the Bulldogs efficiently converted into easy transition baskets. Pissis, the guard from Paris, France, was instrumental in the flurry, scoring on consecutive steals and assists to ignite the home crowd and establish a lead the Bulldogs would not relinquish. The most important part of the game was this transformative opening segment of the second half, where Alabama A&M’s defensive intensity completely altered the game’s tempo and rhythm. Jackson State, which had executed with poise in the first half, was suddenly rushed and out of sync. The Bulldogs’ run created a cushion that allowed them to withstand every subsequent charge from the Tigers. Jackson State refused to capitulate, largely due to the spectacular performance of Ruffin. The 5-foot-10 guard from Jackson, Mississippi, put on a scoring clinic, finishing with 39 points and 10 assists in 39 minutes. He attacked the rim relentlessly, drew fouls, and also set up teammates, including Tamarion Hoover, who scored 15 points. Dorian McMillian added 14 points for the Tigers. Every time the Tigers threatened to close the gap, Alabama A&M had an answer, usually from Dozier. The Bulldogs’ top star, a 6-foot-1 guard from Lanett, Alabama, delivered a commanding performance with 31 points, showcasing a versatile scoring arsenal with drives, jumpers, and clutch free throws. His output continued a string of strong recent performances and was central to weathering Ruffin’s onslaught. Alabama A&M’s victory was a balanced effort. James Graham of Milwaukee provided 15 points, three assists, and a key block, while forward PJ Eason of Dadeville, Alabama, controlled the paint with 12 points, several crucial defensive rebounds, and a block. Gabe Kincy of Broward County, Florida, came off the bench to provide a significant spark with 12 points, including critical free throws in the final minutes, and tenacious defense. Koron Davis also added 15 points, and Pissis masterfully directed the offense with 11 points and five assists. The game’s statistical profile was as extreme as its halves. The teams combined for 191 points, a figure that dramatically surpassed the pregame over/under line of 142.5. This offensive explosion contradicted the predictive metrics, as National Statistical’s ELO system had given Jackson State a 68.8% probability to win, and Alabama A&M closed as a 6.5-point favorite. The Bulldogs covered the spread with their late surge. Jackson State will look to rebound at home against Prairie View on Saturday. Alabama A&M travels to face rival Alabama State, also on Saturday.

Preview: Jackson State Tigers at Alabama A&M Bulldogs HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — A surging scorer meets a steady contender Monday night when the Jackson State Tigers visit the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in a SWAC men’s basketball matchup at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium. Jackson State (3-12) enters with momentum from a 75-64 road win at Alabama State on Saturday, snapping a five-game skid. The Tigers’ offense runs almost entirely through dynamic guard Daeshun Ruffin. The standout junior is averaging 31.2 points over his last five games, including a 36-point performance in the win over Alabama State. Despite his individual brilliance, Jackson State has struggled defensively, allowing 80.1 points per game. Alabama A&M (8-8) looks to bounce back from a narrow 64-62 home loss to Alcorn State on Saturday. The Bulldogs have been inconsistent but hold a clear edge in overall record. Guard Koron Davis provides a reliable scoring punch, averaging 15.9 points per game. Alabama A&M has shown resilience at home this season, boasting notable non-conference wins over Tennessee State and North Alabama in Huntsville. This contest pits Jackson State’s high-octane, Ruffin-led attack against a more balanced Alabama A&M squad. The Bulldogs will aim to contain Ruffin and exploit a Tigers defense that has frequently yielded high point totals. For Jackson State, finding secondary scoring beyond Ruffin will be critical to pulling off the road upset. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Following this contest, Jackson State hosts Prairie View on Jan. 17, while Alabama A&M travels to face rival Alabama State on the same date.