PINE BLUFF, Ark.—Alabama State University has arrived in Pine Bluff to prepare for their road game against the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
 
The Hornets (8-14/5-5 SWAC) are coming off a tough 12-point loss at league-leading Mississippi Valley State on Saturday night, while UAPB (4-19/4-7 SWAC) is coming off an 81-75 win over Alabama A&M University.
 
ASU raced out to a 3-1 conference record, including two road wins, but since then the Hornets have struggled winning only two of their last four games.  All of those games have been close, with the Hornets having a chance to win the four games they have lost.  They even had the lead late in two of those losses but was unable to finish.
 
Head coach Lewis Jackson knows for the Hornets to win they have to put together a solid effort on both ends of the court, and the Hornets have been unable to do that.
 
“In order for us to be successful we have to be consistent around the basket and right now we are not getting that,” Jackson said.  “We have had our chances, but we turn the ball over, we take bad shots and then we don't get back on defense and give up easy shots around the basket and you just cannot do that.”
 
The Hornets will not have a lot of time to get ready for the Golden Lions with a one-day turnaround and some of that time being spent on the road traveling from Itta Bena to Pine Bluff.
 
“There is not a lot of time to use for preparation,” Jackson said.  “We will review film and get on the practice floor and get ready that way.  You want to win both of the games when you go on the road, but you will take a split and we still have the opportunity to do that.”

“Everyone is trying to get position for the tournament and you want to try and win as many ball games as you can as we come down the stretch.  So we have to go out and do a good job and play well enough for us to come out with a victory.”
 
ASU was able to defeat UAPB in a hard fought contest the last time these two teams met.  ASU pulled out the 62-56 win in Montgomery back on Jan. 9.  Ivory White and Philip Crawford had double-doubles in the contest with 14 and 10 for White and 10 and 10 for Crawford.  Tramaine Butler had 14.
 
UAPB is always dangerous with the league's leading scorer Savalace Townsend.  He is averaging over 17 points per game and had 23 against the Hornets in Montgomery.  Daniel Broughton is coming off a 20-point, 19-rebound effort in leading UAPB past AAMU.

Tramaine Butler (11.8) and Ivory White (10.0) continue to average double figures for ASU and Philip Crawford (9.8) is close as well.