Final Boxscore
CHICAGO -- The Alabama State men's basketball team mounted a strong second half rally, but could not overcome another sluggish start in falling 58-50 to DePaul Wednesday night at Allstate Arena.
The Hornets (1-4) erased a 13-point first half deficit with solid defensive play and rebounding in the second half. ASU closed to within two points midway through the second half but could not surpass the Blue Demons (5-1), who made enough free throws down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
Senior
Menji Mundadi, a Chicago native playing in front of a large group of family and friends, finished with 13 points to lead the Hornets. Mundadi scored 10 of his points in the second half including a pair of threes during ASU's rally.
Tramaine Butler netted nine points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.
DePaul's Will Walker led all scorers with 21 points and was the lone Blue Demons player in double figures.
The Blue Demons scored the first five points and led 15-2 just six minutes into the game as Alabama State missed its first six shots and committed four turnovers during the slow start. ASU finally made its first basket from the floor with 13:28 left in the first half on a layup by
Sekani Milligen.
Despite the slow beginning, the Hornets kept things close by picking up their intensity on the defensive end. ASU did not allow a DePaul field goal for nearly 12 consecutive minutes in the first half. The Blue Demons did make some free throws during the stretch and finally broke the drought on a jumper from Wallace and a transition three-pointer by Ryan Siggins.
A pair of Butler free throws in the closing seconds sent the Hornets into the half trailing, 28-20.
ASU made a quick surge to start the second half with Mundadi scoring seven of the squad's first nine points.
Ivory White capped the Hornets rally with a trey at the 15:26 mark closing the deficit to just two points, 34-32.
Jeremiah Kelly scored back-to-back layups sparking an 8-2 run by the Blue Demons as DePaul regained the momentum. Alabama State refused to fold and pulled as close as four points late before seeing DU make some game clinching free throws in the final minute.
Alabama State followed a disappointing 19 percent (5-26) shooting performance in the first half with a strong 48 percent (11-23) outing over the final 20 minutes. A smaller Hornets lineup also earned a 42-31 rebounding advantage, but committed 17 turnovers resulting in 18 points for the Blue Demons.
The Hornets also were impressive from the free throw line making 13 of 14 attempts (93 percent).
Alabama State completes its 1,788 mile week-long road swing Friday night at Evansville.
