Dec. 28, 2007

Final Stats

New Orleans, La. - Despite a fast start and a frenzied second-half rally, Alabama State lost a close battle to Tulane 69-60 Friday night.

The Hornets took a 10-2 lead behind 3-pointers from Andrew Hayles and Joel Bosh. However, the Green Wave called a timeout and roared back with six straight points to pull within two.

ASU answered with another run - this one 7-0 - to build a 17-8 advantage, their biggest of the game.

Both teams would settle in for the remainder of the half, and would fight back and forth for the lead. Tulane's senior David Gomez hit seven consecutive points to tie the game at 26-26 with under three minutes remaining. The Green Wave moved ahead on Robinson Louisme's lay-up, but ASU's Roland Fitch knocked in a baseline jumper to knot the score again.

Just before time expired, Gomez would score once more to make the score 30-28 at half.

Tulane stormed out of the locker room with an 11-2 burst to push the lead to 11. The Hornets refused to quit as Brandon Gordon and Andrew Hayles had back-to-back put-back slam dunk dunks. Hayles drained another 3-pointer and AU was within four.

But the fouls began to mount against the Hornets and Tulane would pull away behind an 18-2 free throw attempt advantage.

Andrew Hayles' 13 points led four Hornets in double figures. Brandon Gordon had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Roland Fitch and Brandon Brooks each added 10 points.

ASU completes their non-conference schedule with a game at UAB in Birmingham on January 2 at 7 p.m.