After 26 seasons in the SWAC, Alabama A&M women’s basketball can call themselves champions.
The Bulldogs clinched at least a share of the SWAC regular season championship Saturday with a hard-fought 51–43 victory over rival Alabama State in front of a sold out crowd in Huntsville.
The win typified Alabama A&M’s trademark defensive toughness and composure down the stretch.
Jaida Belton led the Bulldogs with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Kamiyha Griffin added 10 points off the bench on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting performance, also reaching a new career high.
Aniya Palmer chipped in eight points and eight rebounds, helping Alabama A&M dominate inside with 28 points in the paint.
For head coach Dawn Thornton, the milestone made the moment even more memorable.
“I’ve never won a regular season championship,” Thornton told WAAY 31. “This is very, very special.”
The title marks a new high point for a program that has steadily built toward championship contention since joining the SWAC in 2000.
