Feb. 18, 2006

Final Stats

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - When Alabama State started Southwestern Athletic Conference play with four consecutive losses, it was losing the close games that became the team's calling card.

Since then, the Hornets have been on a roll, turning around a lost season by finishing off the close ball games. That was never more evident than on Saturday against Alcorn State, a game ASU won 71-69 for a sixth consecutive victory.

"We've been fortunate to win six in-a-row but we have to take it one game at a time," head coach Lewis Jackson said. "The way the other teams have been playing, a loss here or there and we're back in eighth place."

After taking a 13-point lead early in the second half, the Hornets (10-14, 8-5 SWAC) had to hold off the offensive onslaught of Alcorn State's Juan Wyatt, who scored 32 points - 20 in the second half - and grabbed 10 rebounds.

"We didn't play our best basketball but we did what we needed to do. To play like we did and still get the win, that's the sign of a good basketball team," Jackson said. "We were fortunate to win but we still can play better."

Five players finished in double figures for ASU, led by Akeim Claborn's 17 points and 11 rebounds. Dustin Richmond had 10 points and seven assists, Andrew Hayles had 13, Richard Lott, Jr. scored 12 and Herbert Warren added 11 off the bench.

Thanks to the play of Lott and Hayles in the first half, the Hornets led by as many as 10 points in the first half and went into halftime with a 37-29 lead. The duo combined for 23 points in the opening period, making 9-of- 15 shots from the field.

"Early on, we were pushing the ball up the floor and attacking their defense. We also got some balls to fall from the outside," Jackson said.

A 3-pointer by Richmond gave Bama State a 44-31 advantage less than two minutes into the second half and a rout of the Braves seemed to be in the offing.

That's when Wyatt went to work, scoring on an assortment of shots around the basket. Jackson tried everyone on Alcorn State's 6-foot-7 junior forward but to no avail.

"We tried Richard, Akeim, Joel Bosh, and Miguel Morton for a time and they did a decent job. He was just in that zone," Jackson said. "But we made some plays down the stretch and hit some free throws."

Alcorn State made a strong run at the end, holding Alabama State without a field goal over the last 5:33 and getting as close as 69-68 with 1:29 remaining. But down by two with the ball on the final possession, the Braves were unable to get off a shot, giving the Hornets their seventh win in their last eight games.