Top-seeded Alabama A&M needed every ounce of composure and experience to survive a fierce challenge from Florida A&M, pulling out a 72–69 victory Wednesday in the SWAC Tournament quarterfinals.
Head coach Dawn Thornton said the Bulldogs, who ran their winning streak to 18 games, expected a battle entering the field as regular-season champions.
“We knew it was going to be really tough,” Thornton said. “It’s hard to beat a team three times in a season, and FAMU played a great game. That’s what championship basketball should feel like.”
Best player in SWAC refused to lose
The Bulldogs leaned on SWAC Player of the Year Kalia Walker, who poured in a season-high 31 points, including clutch shots down the stretch.
Walker said her motivation was simple.
“My mindset is just to win with my team and my coaches,” she said. “They’ve got my back, and that pushes me through to finish games like this.”
Alabama A&M trailed in the second quarter by double digits before a surge led by Walker and forward Aniya Palmer, who added 16 points and 10 rebounds and helped flip the game’s momentum.
“Coming out of halftime, I knew I had to pick it up,” Walker said. “I wanted to be my best for my teammates.”
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There were other Bulldog heroines, too.
A&M’s balance showed late. Freshman guard Vanessa Wimberly buried a crucial jumper in the final minute to help seal the win — a moment Walker said highlighted her confidence and growth.
“I told her, ‘I need you to do this for the team,’” Walker said. “She knew she had to make that shot, and she did. That’s big-time for a freshman.”
Even as the Bulldogs extended their winning streak to 18 games, Thornton said the message has been to focus on one at a time.
“We talked about it — the streak means nothing now,” she said. “You’ve got to win three games to get to the big dance. Everybody plays their best against us, and FAMU definitely did.”
Alabama A&M advances to the SWAC semifinal, still chasing its first tournament title under Thornton — and fueled by a belief that’s carried it all season.
