ASU Loses For the First Time in Nine Games
Grambling, La. – Alabama State (14-17, 11-7) missed a shot with seconds to play ending its eight game winning streak with a 74-73 loss at Grambling State. The loss puts ASU as the 4th seed for next week's SWAC tournament and they will face 5th seeded Alabama A&M Thursday night.
Chris Duncan and Tramayne Moorer each paced Alabama State with 11 first half points.
Down by one point with .39 seconds left, Tramaine Butler made one free throw and missed the second but Moorer was fouled getting an offensive rebound. He too would only make one free-throw leaving the game tied at 73. Grambling nearly threw away the ensuing inbound pass however; a questionable foul was called on Middlebrooks sending Grambling's Justin Patton to the line. Patton made one of two giving GSU a 74-73 lead.
ASU played for played for the final shot with 12 seconds left in the game, but Ivory White's floater was too hard and didn't fall.
“We had our opportunities tonight”. Head Coach Lewis Jackson said. Grambling played hard and this will give us something to build off of heading into the tournament”. Coach Jackson noted.
Donald Qualls scored 18 of his 23 points in the first half for Grambling. He led all scorers on the night. Both teams shot equally as well from the field in the first half making 40 percent of its shot attempts. Moorer led ASU with 22 points and seven rebounds. Duncan finished with 13 points and Kenderek Washington chipped in 10.
Ivory White nailed a three with 13:46 left in the game to give ASU a 51-47 lead. GSU's Lance Feurtado responded with one from downtown of his own making the score 51-50. Following a free throw from Jeff Middlebrooks and a layup from Moorer, Grambling's YonDarius Johnson made one of his two free-throw attempts and tied the game with a three pointer at 54-54.
Feurtado who finished with 17 points for Grambling, broke open the game tied at 67 with a three ball from the top of the key making the score 70-67. Moorer made a pair of free throws and a lay-up giving the Hornets a one point lead 71-70 with 2:57 to play.
ASU now sets their sights on Garland, Texas for the SWAC tournament. Alabama State and Alabama A&M will tip-off at 8 pm Thursday night.
-Hornets-
