A slow start to the second half by Missouri State and solid inside play by Alabama A&M was the difference on Tuesday in AAMU’s 59-47 victory over the visiting Bears (2-9). Marcus Marshall scored a game-high 16 points as the only MSU player in double figures. Alabama A&M got 16 points and 14 rebounds from Demarquelle Tabb, while Jeremy Crutcher scored 12, and Brandon Ellis added 10 points for the Bulldogs.

After taking a 25-24 lead into halftime on a 3-pointer at the buzzer by Gavin Thurman, the Bears appeared to have momentum on their side. However, the Bulldogs (3-6) made five of their first 11 shots on a 13-2 run in the first four minutes to jump out to a 37-27 advantage. Missouri State would get no closer than eight the rest of the game, thanks in part to a 40-23 rebounding advantage by Alabama A&M and 24 Bulldog points in the paint.

The Bears travel to New Mexico State on Saturday for an 8 p.m. (Central) start against the Aggies in Las Cruces, N.M.