BOISE, Idaho | Despite a game-high 17 points from Jacoby Ross, Alabama State fell 67-57 on the road to Boise State at Taco Bell Arena in non-conference action Wednesday night.

"We played aggressive early on and were able to stay within what we wanted to run," Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson said. "We got away from what was working early in the second half, but there are some things we can take away from this game that can help us down the stretch.

"Jacoby just needed to get some more shots, and we were able to do that in the second half. At the same time, we have to have better possessions throughout, and we have to be able to knockdown free throws when we have the opportunity. We'll learn from our mistakes and get better from this game, and that is to take anything away from Boise State because they are a good ball club."

Fausto Pichardo finished with 11 points for Alabama State, who finished the night shooting 37.3 (22-of-59) percent from the floor and 36 (9-of-25) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 44.4 (4-of-9) percent from the free throw line, while forcing 13 Boise State turnovers.

Justinian Jessup led four players in double figures for the Broncos with 16, while Alex Hobbs added 15 and RJ Williams 12 points and nine rebounds. Zach Haney added 11 points for Boise State, who finished the night shooting 44.9 (22-of-49) percent from the floor and 34.8 (8-of-23) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 75 (15-of-20) percent from the free throw line.

Alabama State (2-5), playing for the first time in two weeks and without leading scorer Reginald Gee, led Boise State by five at the half. The Hornets and Boise State (4-5) traded the lead several times in the first half until the Hornets were able to take a three-point lead down the stretch. After Boise State trimmed the lead to a pair, Gene Davis drained a 30-footer as the buzzer sounded to give Alabama State a 30-25 lead at the intermission.

After Alabama State scored the opening basket of the second half, Boise State went on a 17-0 run over the next five-plus minutes to take a 42-32 lead with 13:59 to play in the contest. The Hornets ended their scoring drought with a free throw from Ross with 13:06 to play – ending a seven-minute stretch without a basket for Alabama State.

Boise State pushed the lead to 13 with 10:25 to play before Alabama State mounted a furious comeback. The Hornets pulled to within seven at 53-45 on a Ross three-pointer with 7:41 to play, before he connected on another three-pointer by Ross with 6:06 to play to trim the deficit to 55-51. However, the length of Boise State was too much for Alabama State as they were able to push the lead back to double-digits down the stretch.

Alabama State returns to action Saturday against Utah State on the road, with the game set to tip at 7:00 pm (mst). The game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network, with pregame beginning at 6:45 pm (mst).

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