HUNTSVILLE, Texas | Jacoby Ross poured in 21 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome a slow start as Alabama State fell 78-57 to Sam Houston State at the Johnson Coliseum Tuesday night.

Ross finished night shooting 8-of-11 from the floor, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc to lead all scorers. Reginald Gee added 11 for the Hornets who finished the night shooting 41.2 (21-of-51) percent from the floor, including 62.5 (15-of-24) percent in the second half. They also finished the night shooting 31.6 (6-of-19) percent from beyond the arc, including 71.4 (5-of-7) percent in the second half.

Alabama State (2-7) also shot 56.3 (9-of-16) percent from the free throw line in the loss.

Meanwhile, Sam Houston State (4-7) was led by Marcus Harris with 12 points, while Kai Mitchell and Cameron Delaney each finished with 11. The Bearkats shot 42.9 (27-of-63) percent from the floor and 37.9 (11-of-29) percent from beyond the arc, while also connecting on 65 (13-of-20) percent of their free throws.

Sam Houston State jumped out to an early five-point lead in the first two minutes of the game before the Hornets were able to get on the board with an AJ Farrar layup with 17:34 to play in the half, trimming the deficit to 5-2. The two teams struggled for the next three minutes until Jacoby Ross drained a three from the left side to tie the game at 5-all with 14:19 to play in the half.

However, Sam Houston State went on a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to push their lead to 12-5 before a jumper from Ross ended the run and trimmed the lead to 12-7 with 11:36 to play in the half. The Hornets were able to keep the deficit to within six on a Farrar layup with 9:20 remaining, before Sam Houston State went on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 23-9 with 6:59 to play in the opening half.

The Bearkats ended the half on a 13-0 run to take a 39-13 halftime advantage as they held Alabama State to just 22.2 (6-of-27) percent shooting from the floor, and 8.3 (1-of-12) percent from beyond the arc.

Alabama State fought back in the second half to cut the lead down to 71-55 with just under four minutes remaining, before Sam Houston State was able to put the game away late.

Alabama State returns to action Friday afternoon in St. Petersburg (Fla.) in the first game of the St. Pete Shootout operated by Basketball Destinations. The Hornets face Liberty in the opening contest with tip set for 12 noon (est), and the game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network beginning with pregame at 11:45 am (est).

Follow the Hornets
For complete  coverage  of Alabama State University men's basketball, follow us on social media at @BamaStateMBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama  State University athletics at BamaStateSports.com.