Final Boxscore

AUBURN, Ala. – Despite having five players reach double-digit points, the Alabama State University basketball team was not able to overcome a slow start in a hard fought 94-78 loss to in-state rival Auburn at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum Tuesday night.

Menji Mundadi led the way for the Hornets (2-8) with 15 points including four three-pointers. Tramaine Butler finished with a season-best 14 points followed by 10 points each from Chris Duncan, Tramayne Moorer and Sekani Milligen.

Brendon Knox scored a career-best 18 points in leading Auburn (6-6) to its fifth consecutive win over Alabama State.

After Auburn grabbed an early lead, Alabama State used a 7-0 run to earn its first lead of the game at 11-8 with 15:07 left in the first half. Tramaine Butler was the Hornets key offensive player during the early run scoring eight of the team's first 12 points.

The teams traded the lead over the next several possessions before Auburn built a double-figure advantage, 27-16, following a 19-5 run by the Tigers. AU pushed its lead to 16 points minutes later and settled for a 46-33 halftime advantage.

The Hornets struggled on the offensive end in the opening period shooting just 36 percent from the floor while Auburn connected at a 62.5 percent pace. ASU, who came into the game making 6.4 three-pointers a game, missed its first 12 shots from long distance before Menji Mundadi hit back-to-back treys late in the first half to end the drought.

It was an even battle in the second half as both teams shot better than 50 percent from the field. ASU finished the frame at 53 percent, including a sizzling 8-for-11 (73 percent) from the three-point arc. The Tigers continued their hot shooting going 16-26 (61.5 percent) and making five of 10 trey attempts.

During one stretch in the second half, the two teams combined to make six consecutive three-point attempts. In fact after missing their first 12 treys, the Hornets made 11 of their next 12 attempts from long distance.

For the game, Alabama State earned a 33-31victory in rebounding including a 16-6 advantage on the offensive glass. Butler hauled in six boards to lead the Hornets attack. Jeffery Middlebrooks dished out a career-best seven assists on the night while committing no turnovers.

Both teams finished with 17 turnovers. Auburn benefitted from a 34-21 edge in free throw attempts in the contest.

After taking a break for Christmas, Alabama State returns to the court for its 2009 calendar finale Dec. 28 against West Alabama at the Acadome.