MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Reginald Gee hit the go-ahead basket with 47 seconds remaining to cap off a 76-73 Alabama State exhibition victory against local rival Auburn Montgomery.
Gee and
Terrance LeFlore each scored 17 points to lead Alabama State, while Gee finished with six rebounds and two assists, while LeFlore recorded five rebounds and two assists. The senior also shot 60 (6-of-10) percent from the floor in the win.
Branden Johnson added nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds for the Hornets, while
Ed Jones and
Jacoby Ross both added nine points.
The Hornets finished the night shooting 36.9 (24-for-65) percent from the floor, while also hitting on 40 (6-of-15) percent from beyond the arc.
Desmond DeRamus led the Warhawks with 22 points, while Reagan Eubanks added 12 points and five rebounds.
Alabama State, winners of both of their exhibition games, jumped out to an early 20-8 lead in the first half before AUM came back to pull to within at the half.
The two teams traded baskets much of the second half until the Warhawks were able to grab a 65-64 lead. They extended that lead to 67-64 until a pair of free throws by
Fredens Deneus added a pair of free throws to trim the deficit to 67-66 with 5:35 to play. However, AUM went up 70-66 (their biggest lead of the game) on a three-pointer from Deramus with 5:09 to play.
However, Alabama State came back four consecutive points to tie the game on an
Austin Rogers lay-up with 3:31 to play; and the two would tie again 73-all on a LeFlore free throw with 1:16 to play.
Gee put the Hornets up for good with his lay-up with 47 seconds remaining for the 75-73 lead. He would later add a free throw with just 14 seconds remaining for the final margin.
Alabama State opens the regular season Friday night against Mississippi State University, with tip at 5:30 pm on the SECNetwork-plus.
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