JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Kaven Bernard put up a career-high 28 points and Jackson State shot its way past Alabama A&M, 72-54 on Thursday night.

The Tigers (11-19, 9-8) cling to the No. 5 seed in the Southwest Athletic Conference tournament one game ahead of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which had its game with Mississippi Valley state postponed.

Bernard was 11 of 15 from the field, including 1 for 1 from 3-point range in leading Jackson State. Janarius Middleton scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Raeford Worsham added 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. The Tigers shot 50 percent from the field (28 of 56), including 4 of 14 from beyond the arc.

Nicholas West and Ladarius Tabb each scored 13 points to lead Alabama A&M (8-19, 7-10), which shot just 29.4 percent from the field (15 of 51).

Jackson State closes out the regular season Saturday at Alabama State.