HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — In a commanding display of efficiency and defense, Alabama A&M routed Tennessee State 80-53 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at T.M. Elmore Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs, led by a masterful performance from guard Sami Pissis, used a dominant second half to pull away from the Tigers, improving their season record to 4-3. Tennessee State fell to 5-4 with the loss, which snapped a two-game winning streak.

Pissis, a junior from Paris, France, orchestrated the Alabama A&M offense with 21 points and a game-high seven assists over 35 minutes. His backcourt partner, Kintavious Dozier of Lanett, Alabama, added 18 points. The frontcourt duo of James Graham (17 points) and P.J. Eason (10 points, five blocks) provided ample support, with Eason’s defensive presence anchoring the paint.

The game was a stark contrast in offensive execution. Alabama A&M shot 51 percent from the floor, connecting on 26 of 51 attempts, including 8 of 17 from three-point range. The Bulldogs also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 20 of 27.

Tennessee State, meanwhile, endured a frigid shooting night. The Tigers made only 19 of 65 field goal attempts, a rate of 29.2 percent. They struggled profoundly from deep, hitting just 4 of 23 three-pointers, and compounded their problems by making only 11 of 20 free throws. Despite hauling in 20 offensive rebounds, they could not convert those second chances efficiently, finishing with an offensive rating of 79.7 on 66 possessions. Alabama A&M’s offensive rating was a robust 116.2.

The first half was competitive, if sloppy, with both teams combining for 27 turnovers. Alabama A&M built an early lead behind Dozier and Pissis, who hit early three-pointers. Tennessee State stayed within reach through effort on the glass and forced turnovers, trailing just 32-27 at the break. Jalen Pitre led the Tigers with 11 points, all in the first half.

Any hope for a Tennessee State comeback was extinguished in the opening minutes of the second period. Alabama A&M erupted with a 16-2 run over the first five minutes, transforming a five-point edge into a 48-29 blowout. The burst was fueled by Pissis, who nailed a three-pointer and set up Graham for another, and highlighted by Eason’s emphatic blocked shots.

The Bulldogs continued to pour it on, stretching the lead to 30 points at 73-43 after another Pissis three-pointer with under three minutes to play. Tennessee State never found an offensive rhythm in the half, scoring only 26 points after intermission.

For the Tigers, only Pitre reached double figures. Aaron Nkrumah, Dante Harris, and Khalil London each scored 10 points, but the team’s collective shooting woes were insurmountable. Tennessee State did force 15 Alabama A&M turnovers and recorded 11 steals, but their own 12 turnovers and inefficient scoring nullified any defensive gains.

Alabama A&M dominated several key statistical categories, outscoring Tennessee State 30-22 in the paint, 16-13 off turnovers, and 13-10 on fast breaks. The Bulldogs’ seven blocks, spearheaded by Eason, stifled the Tigers’ interior attempts.

The announced attendance was 3,223.

UP NEXT

Tennessee State travels to face UNLV on Saturday, Dec. 13. Alabama A&M visits Lipscomb on Sunday, Dec. 7.