NORMAL, Ala. -- Jamel Waters scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half and collected eight steals as Alabama State held off Alabama A&M 59-56 on Saturday night.

Marcus Merriweather drilled a 3-pointer with 1:08 left to pull Alabama A&M within a point, 57-56, but Waters collected his eighth steal and fed Bobby Brown, who closed the game out on a dunk with ten seconds left.

Waters was 9 of 17 from the field, including 0-for-4 from long range, and dished our five assists as Alabama State (9-5, 5-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) stayed unbeaten in conference play. Wendell Lewis finished with 11 points and Brown added 10.

Ladarius Tabb scored 20 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, six off the offensive glass, to lead the Bulldogs (4-11, 3-2). Merriweather added 10 points.

Alabama A&M was hampered by 21 turnovers while Alabama State collected a total of 13 steals.