After losing two close games on the road to Alcorn State (57-55) and Jackson State (91-86), senior swingman Jakobi Heady’s play helped
first-place Bethune-Cookman return home and get wins over Alabama State and Alabama A&M that stretched the 12-3 Wildcats’ lead to two- and-a-half games in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) men’s race over Southern (9-5). Heady had a game-high 26 points with five 3-pointers vs. ASU and led five ‘Cats in double-digit scoring with 19 points vs. A&M.
Everyone else in the league is exchanging wins and losses headed to the March 9-14 men’s and women’s tournaments at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.
Alabama A&M’s women (14-1) have won 14 straight conference games since its only loss, a 74-72 overtime decision at Mississippi Valley State, as it began league play on Jan. 1. Only two teams have scored over 55 points since that loss. Second-year head coach Dawn Thornton’s A&M squad gives up a league-best 56.3 points per game.
The Lady Bulldogs now have a two-and-a-half -game lead over Alcorn State (11-3). Alabama State (11-4) and Southern (10-4) are third and fourth respectively.
A&M’s next game is at home vs. Alabama State on Saturday (Feb. 28) and then hosts Grambling on Tuesday (March 3).