Alabama State Falls to Florida A&M, Faces Alabama A&M Next

The Hornets lost 76-63 but forced 14 turnovers, demonstrating a clear defensive strategy.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 11:14am

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The Alabama State men's basketball team fell to Florida A&M 76-63 on Saturday. The Hornets, now 9-19 overall and 6-9 in conference play, were led in scoring by Cam Palesse with 12 points, along with four assists and two steals. Alabama State's defense proved effective, forcing 14 turnovers from Florida A&M while committing 10 of their own. However, Florida A&M regained control and led 40-31 at halftime, ultimately securing a 76-63 victory.

Why it matters

This loss puts Alabama State in a challenging position as they approach the end of the season. The team's defensive efforts to disrupt Florida A&M's offense were notable, but they were unable to overcome the deficit. As they prepare to face Alabama A&M, the Hornets will need to make adjustments to improve their performance and secure a win.

The details

Alabama State briefly took the lead after a 5-0 run, capped by a basket from Tyler Mason, to go ahead 26-24 with 6:24 remaining in the first half. However, Florida A&M regained control and led 40-31 at halftime. Florida A&M extended its advantage in the second half, building a 63-49 lead before Alabama State responded with a 5-0 run to narrow the gap to 63-54 with 5:32 left. Florida A&M ultimately closed out the game, securing a 76-63 victory. The Hornets scored 16 of their 32 points in the paint.

  • The game took place on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Cam Palesse

A player for the Alabama State Hornets who led the team in scoring with 12 points, along with four assists and two steals.

Damarien Yates

A player for the Alabama State Hornets who contributed 10 points and two steals off the bench.

Micah Simpson

A player for the Alabama State Hornets who added seven points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Tyler Mason

A player for the Alabama State Hornets who scored a basket to give the team a brief lead in the first half.

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What’s next

Alabama State will play at Alabama A&M on Saturday in Huntsville, Ala.

The takeaway

This loss highlights the need for Alabama State to make adjustments to their game plan and execution as they approach the end of the season. While their defensive efforts were commendable, they were unable to overcome Florida A&M's lead. The upcoming game against Alabama A&M will be an important opportunity for the Hornets to bounce back and improve their conference standing.