Dec. 19, 2006

Final Stats

Starkville, Miss.-Despite one of their best efforts of the year, Alabama State simply didn't have enough to pull of the upset as they fell to Southeastern Conference power Mississippi State 74-59 Monday night.

"I thought our guys played hard," said ASU head coach Lewis Jackson. "In the second half offensively, we came out and picked up our defensive intensity and played very aggressive, and it showed.

"We were trying to keep them off the offensive glass even though we were undersized. I believe we hung in there and played hard, and tonight we were beaten by a very good ball club. This is a well-disciplined team with NCAA tournament potential, but our guys gave a great effort tonight."

Hornets guard Andrew Hayles bounced back from a poor game Saturday with a 23-point, 7 rebound performance against MSU. Moses Edun, winner of the last two SWAC newcomer of the week awards, scored 13 points for ASU.

Jamont Gordon led MSU with 14 points. Jarvis Varnado and Reginald Delk joined him in double figures with 12 and 11 points repectively.

ASU will play again after Christmas in the Dr. Pepper Classic, hosted by the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. The Hornets will face Colorado State on December 30th.