Box Score box score The Alabama State University Men's basketball used a second half surge to cruise to a 73-50 victory over across-town rival Auburn University Montgomery Saturday evening at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

The Hornets (3-10) came out of the break on fire, outscoring the Warhawks 11-4 to take a 39-31 lead going into the first media timeout of the half.

“We are happy to get the win before going into SWAC play on Tuesday,” Head Coach Lewis Jackson said. “The guys done well on defense today, but we have to work harder offensively, running plays.”

ASU never looked back, finishing the game shooting 51 percent from the field and 71 percent from the stripe, picking up its second win on the season.     

After trading the lead several times over a time span of 13 minutes of action, ASU closed the half with a 28-27 halftime advantage.  Joshua Freelove led ASU going into the half with eleven points.

“Well, we wanted to pound the ball inside,” said Jackson. “We wanted to get the ball to our “Bigs” inside so we could score some quick easy baskets around the board and try to get their “Bigs” in foul trouble.”

“We started off real quick, then we kind of fizzled out and they made a run for it and it got back and forth, but we wanted to try to establish something around the rim in the second half.”

Freelove finished the game leading all scorers with 21 points. Luther Page had a season and career-high 16 points and led ASU with nine rebounds. Stephawn Brown added nine points.

“He (Luther) played big coming out in the second half getting after the ball, scoring good shots around the rim, and rebounding the ball,” said Jackson. “Defensively, he was able to do some things around the basket and he made his free throws, so these are some things we have to do as a team to try give ourselves the opportunity to be in position to win some ballgames and continue being successful.”

 “Freelove is a guy who can come in and a spark a team. We have to continue working on our offense, so the guys can continue learning and understanding their roles.”  

Brett Pearson led AUM with 12 points, followed by Reshad Bickman with 10 as the two led the Warhawks in double-figures. Bickman also had eight rebounds in the contest.

Alabama State returns to action Tuesday, January 2 at 7:30 p.m. when they host the Tigers of Jackson State in its Southwestern Athletic Conference home opener.
 
 
            

                                                                                                    GO HORNETS