Dec. 30, 2006

Final Stats

Chattanooga, Tenn. - Alabama State and Kennesaw State battled for 40 minutes, but a late barrage of three pointers by KSU's Ronnell Wooten proved to be the difference as the Hornets fell 78-72.

"We got behind early tonight, but we were able to get back in it," said ASU head coach Lewis Jackson. "Down the stretch, we just made too many mistakes and missed too many free throws."

The Hornets were down as many as 11 points in the first half, before closing the deficit to six at halftime.

Behind the interior play of Tremayne Moorer, ASU whittled away at the lead and took their first and only lead at 60-59 with 7:25 remaining.

That's when Wooten began his Kobe Bryant impersonation. Once wide open and twice more with Hornets draped all over him, Wooten drained back-to-back-to-back three point shots to push Kennesaw back out front 69-62. The Owls made seven out of eight free throws to put the game away.

Four Hornets reached double figures. Moses Edun and Richard Lott each scored 13 points. Moorer - in his first extended action of the season - added 12. Joel Bosh chipped in 10.

Kennesaw had only two players in double figures, but together Shaun Stegall and Wooten combined for 56 points.

"Our effort over the last two games has been very good," Jackson said. "We have to play with more poise, execute better and get back to making our free throws and we'll be o.k."

The Hornets (2-9) begin Southwestern Athletic Conference play on Tuesday as they host Jackson State in a women's/men's doubleheader. The Tigers feature Trey Johnson, the nation's leading scorer, who is averaging 30 points per game. The women tip off at 6 p.m and the men follow at 8 p.m.