Feb. 26, 2007

Final Stats

To say there was pressure on Andrew Hayles entering this year is an understatement. He finished last season by hitting big shot after big shot en route to being named the 2005-06 Freshman of the Year. He was picked 2nd team preseason All-SWAC entering this season, and was expected to be one of the top offensive players in the league.

After a tough stretch that had some talking about a `sophomore slump', Hayles exploded for 30 points in a 72-67 win over Texas Southern at the Joe L. Reed Acadome.

"We all knew what Andrew was capable of," said ASU head coach Lewis Jackson, himself a prolific scorer during his playing days as a Hornet. "Sometimes he (Hayles) was forcing, he just had to let the game come to him and take the shots when they were there, in the flow of the offense."

In the first half, ASU wasn't bad shooting the ball - 41%- but they simply couldn't stop the Tigers. TSU made 54% of their attempts and dominated the boards - 23 to 10- on the way to building a 37-34 halftime lead.

With their place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament still in doubt, Jackson urged his team to play like their entire season depended on the next 20 minutes. Obviously, Hayles was listening.

He was almost perfect in the second half, making seven of his eight shots - including all three of his 3-point attempts. Still, he didn't do it all by himself.

Dustin Richmond, playing his last home game, drilled a 3-pointer to give ASU a 45-44 lead with 15:46.

TSU, which has been hanging around the top of the SWAC standings for most of the season, fought back within three. That's when Richmond found Hayles for his fifth and final 3-pointer in the game, clinching the game for the Hornets.

Chris Moore had 24 points and 9 rebounds for TSU (13-14, 9-7 SWAC). Sollie Norwood added 16.

Richmond had 11 points and 9 assists for the Hornets. Richard Lott grabbed 12 rebounds.

ASU (10-17, 8-8 SWAC) travels to Jackson State Thursday night for a 7:30 p.m. match up.