Nov. 15, 2005

Final Stats

LARAMIE, Wyo. - A record-breaking performance by Alabama State forward Akeim Claborn helped head coach Lewis Jackson get his first career win as the Hornets outlasted Coppin State 68-67 in the Black Coaches Association Invitational at Arena-Auditorium.

Claborn, a senior forward, scored 22 points - including the game-winning layup with 17 seconds remaining - and grabbed a BCA Invitational-record 17 rebounds for the Hornets (1-2).

"I haven't played for the last couple of years, so I've been real hungry, working hard, and wanting to take care of business," said Claborn, who missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries but averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds during the tournament.

For Jackson, the win takes pressure of the team - and him - heading into a month-long road docket that begins Sunday at Alabama.

"It's good to get this over with," Jackson said. "With nine games away from home, you wonder when it's going to happen. But this was a game we were capable of winning."

The game was tight the entire way, with neither team leading by more than six points. But when the Eagles' Darryl Roberts scored with 32 seconds remaining, the Hornets trailed 67-66 and were out of timeouts.

But Coppin State may have done ASU a favor, calling timeout after Roberts' bucket to set up its defense. It also gave the Hornets a chance to call what turned out to be the game-winning play.

"We wanted to get the ball into Akeim and let him make a move. But they played him high. (Point guard LaMarquis) Blake saw it and lobbed it over the top to him," Jackson said. "It wasn't by design but it was good recognition by our point guard."

The Eagles (0-3) had two opportunities to win in the waning moments. But ASU forced turnovers on both possessions before running out the clock.

Blake, who scored 12 points, was instrumental in keeping the Hornets in the game throughout the second half. He hit three of his four 3-pointers during the final 20 minutes, including two that either tied the game or gave Bama State the lead.

"Akeim played extremely hard, making some key buckets and hitting the boards, and Blake hit some big shots for us," Jackson said.

For the second straight game, Alabama State tried to outmuscle a smaller opponent. The Hornets did dominate on the glass (55-40), but were outscored in the paint by Coppin State 36-32. ASU also had 25 turnovers, which turned into 21 points for the Eagles to keep the game close.

Proctor (15 points) and Brian Chesnut (10) led Coppin State. Cedric Mitchell pulled down 12 rebounds for the Hornets.