Even though the Hornets hold a strong 10-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) record, they are not alone at the top of the SWAC standings.  Texas Southern is also heading into the weekend's action with an identical 10-2 conference record.  The closest SWAC opponent to the top two teams is Southern with a 10-3 record.  Southern is one of the team's the Hornets will play on this road trip (Monday 8 p.m. ESPNU Broadcast).
 
ASU (14-7 overall) and Alcorn State will tip off at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.  Alcorn State (5-20/4-9 SWAC) has struggled this season, but has a 4-5 at home.
 
Leantwan Luckett leads the Braves and is one of the top scorers in the conference.  The preseason SWAC Player of the Year honoree is averaging 16 points per game while his teammate Marquis Vance leads the SWAC in rebounding averaging eight per game.
 
The two teams met in Montgomery back on Jan. 24 with the Hornets pulling away for an 84-60 win.  ASU's defense held Luckett to only five points on 1-of-11 shooting.  Jamel Waters led ASU with 18 points while Maurice Strong added a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
 
"We have spent a lot of time on our defense this week," Head Coach Lewis Jackson said.  "They do a good job of putting the ball on the court and attacking the basket and we have had trouble with that at times this season.  If we want to win the game we need to do a better job of defending the drive and keeping their guys out of the lane."
 
Jamel Waters continues to lead the team in scoring (13.7), assists (107) and steals (41).  DeMarcus Robinson is averaging 10.6 points per game while Maurice Strong (9.9), Wendell Lewis (9.1) and Bobby Brown (9.0) all average in the nine points per game range.
 
With the balanced scoring attack from the Hornets, they continue to lead the conference in scoring (73.8), scoring margin (4.6), field goal percentage (.443), three point field goal percentage (.368), assists (13.8) and assist-turnover ratio (1.0).
 
"It has really helped that we have several players that can be the leading scorer in any given game," Jackson said.  "We need to continue to do that in order to win this tough road game.  We also need to do a better job of being patient in our offense, take some good shots and not turn the ball over.  If we can do that we may have a chance to get a win."
 
The game can be heard live on bamastatesports.com.