Final Boxscore

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Despite a pair of 20-point scoring performances, the Alabama State University men's basketball team could not extend its home winning streak to 10 games after falling 76-73 to Mississippi Valley State Saturday night at the ASU Acadome.

Seniors Menji Mundadi (23) and Tramayne Moorer (22) combined for 45 of the Hornet's 73 points in the game, who slip to 4-10 overall and 1-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference after the loss. Julius Cheeks paced the Delta Devils (2-13, 1-1) with 21 points.

Mundadi sparked ASU to a fast start accounting for the team's first eight points of the game. He opened the contest with back-to-back three-pointers followed by a layup at the 16:16 mark that gave the Hornets an 8-4 lead.

Unfortunately, the Bama State offense went cold as the team failed to make another field goal until a Byron Walker basket with 6:36 remaining in the first half. The Hornets missed 10 shots during the stretch but were able to maintain a lead for much of the drought by hitting 8-of-10 free throw attempts.

Mississippi Valley used a 9-0 run towards the end of ASU's scoring drought to grab a 20-16 advantage and held a lead until Mundadi drilled two straight treys to put the Hornets in front, 24-22. Minutes later Moorer would cap off an ASU scoring surge with a dunk giving the home squad a 31-27 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the period.

The Delta Devils closed the half with a flurry, outscoring the Hornets 9-2 on their way to a 36-33 halftime advantage.

MVSU would boost its lead to nine points (44-35) after scoring eight of the first 10 points in the second half. Alabama State continued to battle throughout the period and trimmed the deficit to three points on three different occasions.

With 2:27 remaining, Valley had built its lead back to nine points, 69-60, but the Hornets mounted a late rally behind an aggressive, full-court pressure attack. ASU forced four turnovers in its charge and tied the score at 70-70 with 1:01 left to play. Mundadi's sixth three-pointer of the game and a steal and layup by AJ Spencer closed the Hornets run.

Cheeks hit a pair of free throws to give MVSU the lead before Spencer converted another layup forcing a tie a 72. Two more free throws by Cheeks gave the Delta Devils the lead for good. Cheeks added two more free throws in the closing seconds for the final margin as Mundadi's attempt to tie the game at the buzzer fell short.

Alabama State continues its current home stand Monday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. ASU and UAPB will tipoff at 8 p.m. in a game being televised by ESPNU.