Feb. 5, 2008

Final Stats

Montgomery, Ala. - Alabama State entered Monday night's matchup with Prairie View with a chance to strengthen their hold on first place in the SWAC.

Despite head coach Lewis Jackson's complaints that his team had a few letdowns during the game, ASU ran to a 98-86 win over the Panthers.

"We really played well at points," Jackson said. "I was much happier tonight than I was after Saturday's game. Still, even after we got out to a big lead, it was like we just stopped. We lost our aggressiveness and didn't play with the kind of effort we should.

"Still, we got an important win and we're happy with that."

Both teams shot well in the first half, but five made three-point shots fueled a 48-36 ASU halftime lead.

The Hornets turned up the pressure and their fast break offense as their second half lead swelled to as much as 25. Still, the intensity lapse Jackson referred to allowed Prairie View to climb within 12, which was the final margin.

Andrew Hayles led the Hornets with 24. Joel Bosh had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Roland Fitch scored a career-high 14. Brandon Brooks had 13 assists to go with eight rebounds.

The Hornets (12-7, 8-1 SWAC) now hold a two-game conference lead as they head to take on Mississippi Valley State Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.