Final Boxscore
GRAMBLING, La. --
Byron Walker and
Tramaine Butler both scored career highs in leading the Alabama State men's basketball team to a 70-55 victory over Grambling State Monday night in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both squads.
Walker poured in 20 points including a season-high 12 in the first half, while Butler added 18 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Hornets.
ASU (4-8, 1-0 SWAC) won back-to-back games for this first time this season and won its fifth consecutive victory over Grambling (2-7, 0-1). The win also marked the Hornets third straight in SWAC openers.
“I thought our guys played with some intensity and focus tonight,” said ASU head coach
Lewis Jackson, who earned the 50th SWAC win in his career. “It is great to open league play with a win and especially on the road. Hopefully, we can build from this performance as we move forward.”
Alabama State opened the game with a 12-4 run to grab the early lead. The Hornets continued to hold a lead for most of the first half before Grambling rallied to even the score at 19 with 3:48 left in the period.
ASU then turned it up on both ends of the floor holding the Tigers scoreless during a 14-0 run to close the half. Butler sparked the closing rally scoring seven of the team's final nine points. Bama State held a 33-19 advantage at the half.
A 10-2 run by the Hornets to open the second half pushed their lead to 22 points, 43-21, and seemed to put the game out of reach for the Tigers. ASU built a lead as large as 28 points and held a 20-plus point advantage for most of the final period.
Grambling State made a late surge closing the game on an 11-2 run to trim its final deficit. Donald Qualls scored all 11 points for GSU in the rally and finished with a game-high 24 points including 20 in the second half. Qualls connected on five three-pointers in the loss.
Lance Fuertado posted a double-double for the Tigers finishing with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hornets conclude their SWAC opening road swing at Jackson State Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
