MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State built a big lead and held on late to defeat Alabama A&M, 70-67, at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome Saturday night in a key Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) contest.
 
Alabama State (3-14, 3-2 SWAC) jumped on top early in the first half and built a 23-point lead over Alabama A&M, and led 48-28 at the half behind 50 (17-of-34) percent shooting from the floor and 58.8 (10-of-17) percent from beyond the arc. However, they allowed the Bulldogs to get back into the game and take a late lead before sealing the contest at the free throw line in the final seconds.
 
"We went in and talked to them about the second half," Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson said. "We told them we need to keep doing the things we were doing in the first half and not to let them get back into the game. We came out in the second half, and did everything we didn't need to do that allowed them to get back in the game. Credit to Alabama A&M for fighting to get back in the game, but we just have to find a way to finish."
 
Jacoby Ross led Alabama State in scoring with 20 points, including a big first half with 15. He knocked down 6-of-11 shots from the floor, including three three-pointers to lead the Hornets. But it was the play of Branden Johnson down low in the post that helped the Hornets overcome a run by Alabama A&M. The redshirt sophomore finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, his fourth double-double this season.
 
"Branden has really stepped his game up in conference play," Jackson said. "He has been really hitting the boards hard and putting the ball in the basket. Without Fausto (Pichardo) in the game tonight, he played big down low. We had a bunch of guys step up tonight and pull this one out. Anytime you play a rival and can win at home, it's big … and to win two of three this week was good for us to get us going."
 
Reginald Gee added 17 points for the Hornets, with 14 of those coming in the first half for a team that shot 39.3 (22-of-56) percent from the floor and 47.8 (11-of-23) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 53.6 (15-of-28) percent from the free throw line, but hit key free throws down the stretch and didn't allow Alabama A&M to get a shot off in the final second of the game.
 
De'Ederick Petty led Alabama A&M with 13 points off the bench, while Arthur Johnson added 12 for the Bulldogs who finished the night shooting 36.2 (21-of-58) percent from the floor and 27.3 (6-of-22) percent from beyond the arc.
 
Alabama State returns to action next weekend on the road at Southern, with a tip set for 5 pm. The game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network, with pregame beginning at 4:45 pm.
 
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