NEW ORLEANS, La. | Daquan Bracey led four Louisiana Tech players in double figures, and a quick second half run by the Bulldogs, proved too much for Alabama State as they fell 74-62 on the opening day of the New Orleans Shootout at the Convocation Center, on the campus of Xavier University.
 
Reginald Gee led Alabama State (0-11) with 16 points on 7-of-19 shooting from the floor, and dished out four assists. Meanwhile, Rodney Simeon finished with a season-high 14 points on four three-pointers and pulled down three rebounds for the Hornets.
 
Louisiana Tech (8-4) went in at half leading 37-29, and quickly pushed that double digits with an 6-0 run out of the locker room to open a to take 43-29 lead just one minute into the final stanza. Alabama State was able to answer with a 12-3 run to pull to within five with 13:32 remaining in the contest. The Hornets' run started with a basket by Jacoby Ross and another by Branden Johnson with 15:44 to play that trimmed the lead to 44-33.
 
The run continued with a basket by Austin Rogers, and ended with back-to-back three pointers from Gee and Simeon with 13:32 to play that trimmed the deficit to five (46-41).
 
That margin was as close as Alabama State could get, as each time they cut the lead to six, Louisiana Tech had an answer and was able to pull away over the final seven minutes for the win.
 
Bracey led Louisiana Tech with 16 points, while Jacobi Boykins added 14 points and five assists. Anthony Duruji added 12 off the bench and Jy'lan Washington 11 for Louisiana Tech which ended the night shooting 50 (26-of-52) percent from the floor. They also shot 50 (8-of-16) percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 (14-of-19) percent from the free throw line.
 
Meanwhile, Alabama State shot 45 (27-of-60) percent from the floor and 30 (6-of-20) percent from beyond the arc, while attempting just two free throws in the game.
 
The Hornets return to action tomorrow afternoon, facing Liberty at 12 noon inside the Convocation Center.
 
Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University men's basketball, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateMBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.