HOUSTON (AP) Justan Banks and Brandon Ellis combined for 34 points and 19 rebounds to lead No. 5 seed Alabama A&M to a 69-50 victory over fourth-seeded Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the quarterfinal round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament Thursday.
Banks had 18 points and Ellis had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Alabama A&M (14-15) will play eighth-seeded Prairie View A&M Friday in the semifinal game. Prairie View knocked off the No. 1 seed Southern 64-46 Wednesday.
The A&M defense stymied the Golden Lions in the first half, limiting them to just 10 points in the first 17 minutes of play, as the Bulldogs held a 34-18 halftime advantage. UAPB started the second half strong as Ghiavonni Robinson knocked down a 3-pointer and DaVon Haynes followed with a dunk to cut the lead to 34-23 but could get no closer than 52-42.
Tevin Hammond led UAPB (13-18) with 14 points.
