Feb. 26, 2008

Montgomery, Ala. - After a disappointing home loss Saturday night, Alabama State needed a strong showing if they wanted to rebuild their momentum towards a SWAC regular season title.

Their dominant 65-46 win Monday night over Southern was exactly what the doctor - or in the case coach - ordered.

"We simply did not play the way we have to Saturday," said ASU head coach Lewis Jackson. "It was important for us to play with the kind of fight and intensity we had tonight."

The Hornets fell behind 8-3, before going on a 20-0 run to take a 15-point lead. A 3-pointer by Brandon Gordon later in the half made it 30-10. When Gordon hit two free throws a couple of minutes later, the lead bulged to 34-12. The Jaguars scored the last five points of the half, and the score was 34-17 with the teams heading into the locker room.

The reason for ASU's dominance? ASU outshot Southern 59% to 23% from the floor. Each team hit 3 three-pointers, but it took ASU only six attempts while the Jaguars had launched 15.

The Hornets held second-half leads ranging from 14 to 21 points, while cruising to the win which was punctuated by two dunks by Brandon Brooks - including one over Southern's center with 24 seconds remaining.

Gordon led ASU with 13 points. Joel Bosh added 12 and Richard Lott chipped in 10. Brooks also scored 10 points, while handing out 12 assists - his third double-double of the season.

ASU (15-9, 11-3 SWAC) now holds a 2 ½ game lead over Jackson State for 1st place in the SWAC. The Hornets make their Texas trip this weekend, as they visit Prairie View on Saturday and Texas Southern on Monday.