MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State claimed their second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory Saturday night, with a 63-46 victory over Mississippi Valley State University at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
 
Alabama State (2-13, 2-1 SWAC) was able to pull away late due to a team-effort of hitting boards and not allowing any easy baskets for the Delta Devils. The Hornets won the rebounding battle, 57-48, and blocked nine shots on the night – both season highs for the program.
 
Branden Johnson was one point away from notching his second consecutive double-double with nine points and a career-high 15 rebounds (13 on the defensive end), and blocked a pair of shots. Fellow post player Fausto Pichardo recorded a career 14 rebounds (13 on the defensive end), with three assists and three blocked shots.
 
Reginald Gee led Alabama State with 16 points, six rebounds and a career-high four blocked shots on the night. Rodney Simeon added 12 off the bench, while Jacoby Ross scored 11 and dished out a pair of assists.
 
The Hornets shot 40.4 (21-of-52) percent from the floor and just 17.9 (5-of-28) from beyond the arc, while shooting 64 (16-of-25) percent from the free throw line.
 
Meanwhile, Jordan Evans led Mississippi Valley State (0-15, 0-2 SWAC) with 16 points, while the Delta Devils shot 22.2 (16-of-72) percent from the floor and 21.4 (3-of-14) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 55 (11-of-20) percent from the free throw line.
 
Alabama State returns to action Monday at 6 pm against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with the game being carried on the Hornet Sports Network.
 
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