Box Score Final Box

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Ivory White scored 16 points and added nine rebounds but it was not enough as Alabama State fell at Evansville 62-55 Tuesday night at the Ford Center.

The Hornets (0-5) started fast, jumping out to an early 14-7 lead with 11:26 to play in the first half. However, a 12-0 run by Evansville (3-2) gave the Purple Aces the lead for good at 19-14 with 5:28 to play until halftime.

Leading 32-21 to open the second half, Evansville extended its lead to 49-34 with just over 11 minutes to play before Alabama State made a run. The Hornets scored 10 consecutive points to cut the deficit to 49-44 on pair of free throws by Luther Page with 7:03 remaining.

However, a  desperation three-pointer banked in by Evansville's Colt Ryan with 3:48 to play pushed the lead to eight for the Purple Aces at 56-48. Alabama State got no closer than seven points the rest of the game.

Page added 12 points and six rebounds, and Jeff Middlebrooks had a career-high nine assists to go along with four steals.

Evansville's Kenny Harris scored 16 points and had a game-high 11 rebounds, while Ryan scored 14 points and Ned Cox 10 for the Purple Aces.

Alabama State returns to action this Saturday at Florida International.