MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Hornets men's basketball team debuted their 2016-17 season with a 56-50 exhibition victory over neighborhood foe Auburn-Montgomery on Tuesday night at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

Both teams showed some rust in shooting the basketball for each squad's first game, but Alabama State was able to carry a six-point halftime advantage and trade baskets in the second half.

All-SWAC Preseason First Team selection Tony Armstrong led the ASU with a team-high 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field to go with seven rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

Alabama State got spread scoring from Terrance LeFlore (nine points), Torloft Thomas (eight) and Artis Cleveland (six), but shot just 33 percent from the field as a team. 

AUM struggled as well by shooting just 32 percent from the floor, but received a strong game from Desmond DeRamus (19 points on 7-of-12 shooting with 10 rebounds). 

"We learned a lot of things tonight about ourselves," said ASU head men's basketball coach Lewis Jackson.

"Certainly, we have to do a better job of finishing around the rim with our bigs.  They had nine blocks around the basket and we only had one for the size that we have.  We have to do a better job of keeping guys out of the lane.  We were fortunate enough to get the win today and that's the biggest thing.  We want to try to play fast and we only got 56 points tonight and shot 33 percent so we have to be more efficient.   And, we have to do a better job of taking care of the basketball." 

ASU will next host Huntington on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Acadome for another exhibition game. 

#GOHORNETS#