March 2, 2007

Final Stats

Jackson, Miss. - It may not have been the Shootout at the O.K. Corral, but it was definitely the next best thing as Alabama State's Andrew Hayles went shot for shot with Jackson State's Trey Johnson in an important SWAC match up in Jackson, Mississippi.

Despite a standoff between two of the conference's top gunslingers - each scored 26 points, ASU fell 69-65.

The Hornets held a 42-35 halftime lead behind Hayles' 16 first half points. Hayles, coming off a 30 point effort Monday night, did everything possible to steal the spotlight from Jackson, who entered the game as the nation's leading scorer at 27.5 points per game.

Hayles scored on a variety of moves, inside and out, and drained a 23-foot jump shot just before the halftie buzzer.

Jackson State came out of the locker room on fire, outscoring ASU 16-6 to take a three point lead at 51-48. From there the game was nip and tuck as each star's supporting casts made plays, and baskets, to keep the game tight. But as the clock wound down, Hayles and Johnson again became the story.

Hayles' off-balance jumper gave ASU a 61-60 lead with 7:08 to play. Richard Lott powered inside for a basket and Hayles drained two free throws to put ASU up 65-60. Unfortunately, the Hornets wouldn't score again.

JSU's Grant Maxey hit a short runner in the lane, and Catravia Gives and Johnson followed with two free throws each to put the Tigers ahead 66-65. As the ASU defense focused on Trey Johnson, Julius Young hit a jump shot in the corner to give the JSU a three point lead with 17 seconds.

On the ensuing play, the Tigers came up with a steal to put the game away.

Trey Johnson finished with 26 points to lead Jackson State (17-13, 11-6 SWAC). Grant Maxey had 15 and Young tallied 12.

For ASU (10-18, 8-9 SWAC), Richard Lott had 14 points and eight rebounds. Dustin Richmond finished with 10.

The Hornets finish their regular season at Grambling Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.