Game On: Sports News, Highlights & Commentary
- Dawn Thornton has Alabama A&M poised for a historic feat: potential consecutive 21-win seasons, a program first.
- The Lady Bulldogs hold a dominant 15-1 SWAC mark and need wins versus Grambling State and Southern to clinch top seed.
- Current streak could reach 17 straight victories, the longest in the program's Division I era.
- Winning the regular season title is deeply personal for Thornton, who dedicates the season to her father’s battle with cancer.
In her first two seasons at Alabama A&M in Huntsville, Dawn Thornton has led the Lady Bulldogs to the verge of consecutive 20-win seasons.
Saturday’s thrilling win over Alabama State electrified the Lady Bulldogs, who now hold at least a share of the SWAC regular season title. Securing a victory against Grambling State or Southern would clinch the coveted No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.
With only one conference loss, Alabama A&M would gain a distinct tournament advantage as a top seed after dominating the SWAC in 2026.
They hold a 19-9 overall record and a 15-1 SWAC mark before facing Grambling State on Tuesday and Southern on Thursday, Mar. 5.
If Alabama A&M wins both games against the Louisiana HBCU teams, it will secure back-to-back 21-win seasons under Thornton.
This would mark the first time in program history that the Lady Bulldogs have posted consecutive 21-win seasons, highlighting the rarity and significance of this milestone for Thornton and the team.
Thornton is 40-20 since taking over on The Hill, with the Bulldogs going 29-5 in SWAC play the past two seasons.
The current win streak would give the Bulldogs 17 straight victories, the longest of the Division I era.
The Lady Bulldogs finish at home against Grambling State and Southern, but both opponents will try to spoil their plans.
Having won the SWAC regular-season title, Thornton and her staff now focus on hanging a conference banner in the Alabama A&M Event Center.
‘I’ve never won a regular season championship, so this is very, very special,’ Thornton told reporters. ‘Not just for A&M, but for Huntsville and my father, who has battled cancer for three years and couldn’t be here today. I’m dedicating the whole season to him.’
A crowd of 6,175 at the A&M Event Center saw Alabama A&M secure the SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament’s top seed by completing the season sweep of Alabama State, 51-43.
Jaida Belton led all scorers with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Camiyha Griffin added 10 points and 2 rebounds for Alabama A&M.
Alanah Pooler led Alabama State with 10 points and 9 rebounds. No other player reached double figures against the Bulldogs’ defense.
Both contests tip off at 5:30 p.m. at the AAMU Event Center and will be streamed on SWAC TV.
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