Box Score

MONTGOMERY—Ryan Watts' three point play with 13 seconds left in the game pushed ASU's one point lead to a four point lead at 48-44 and the Hornets hung on for a 49-46 win over Alcorn State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game.
 
ASU (6-14/4-3 SWAC)trailed for almost the entire second half until Watts gave the Hornets a 43-42 lead with 3:58 left, and it was a lead ASU would hold the rest of the game.  Bobby Brown gave ASU a 45-42 lead with 2:54 left on an offensive tip.
 
It was a defensive battle the whole game as neither team could find the basket with any regularity.  Alcorn (7-16/5-3 SWAC) finished the game shooting 29 percent from the field, only scoring 16 points in the second half.  ASU was a little better at 36 percent, but outscored Alcorn by nine in the second half (25-16).
 
“We came out in the second half and went to a zone and slowed them down and tried to keep them out of the lane,” Jackson said.  “After we did that we were able for the most part to get the first rebound, but it still comes down to us executing our offense.”
 
Joshua Freelove led the Hornets' offense with 18 points and Brown added 14.  Watts finished the game with five.  Brown completed a double-double with 10 rebounds as ASU out rebounded Alcorn 42-40.
 
“We touched on not trying to do too much with the basketball with Watts, because if he cuts that down he can be an excellent shooter.  One thing he did tonight is he showed some leadership on the floor by getting the guys in the zone and putting them in their places and then he hit some tough shots.”
 
“Looking at Brown's stats, he had a double-double which is what he has to do,” Jackson added.  “He has to make things happen for his teammates and tonight he was able to do that, and he is playing better on defense.
 
Alcorn did a good job of taking Phillip Crawford out of the game as he only finished with five points.  But he did have six rebounds and a game and career-high four assists.
 
Marquiz Baker finished with a game-high 21 points to lead Alcorn in scoring.  Luckett LeAntwan had 12.
 
Alcorn took a 30-24 lead into halftime led by Baker's 15 points.  Baker hit three free throws with 7:55 left in the half to break a 15-all tie and give the Braves their first lead of the half, and they led the rest of the half.
 
Alcorn shot 34 percent from the field but forced 12 ASU turnovers which resulted in 10 points.  Alcorn also out-rebounded ASU 24-19 with eight of those coming on the offensive end.
 
ASU shot 36 percent in the opening half and Brown led the way with nine points and Freelove's six.
 
“With this new team we have on the court we are fighting but it is a struggle but we have to persevere and move forward.”
 
ASU will hit the road for their next two conference outings beginning with a game on Saturday, Jan. 26 at Prairie View at 7:30 p.m.  The Hornets will then play at Texas Southern on Monday, Jan. 28 in an ESPNU televised game.  That time has been moved to a 6 p.m. start.