PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas | Branden Johnson had a career night as Alabama State came up short against Prairie View A&M 80-74 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) contest Saturday night.
 
Johnson scored a career-high 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor, and grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds – including four offensive rebounds. Reginald Gee led Alabama State (7-20, 7-8 SWAC) with 17 points, adding a pair of assists and a blocked shot. Jacoby Ross added 16 points and three assists, while Tobi Ewuosho added 12 points and five rebounds.
 
Alabama State finished the night shooting 43.5 (27-of-62) percent from the floor and 23.8 (5-of-21) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished 60 (15-of-25) percent from the free throw line, while winning the rebounding battle 47-35.
 
Dennis Jones paced five players for Prairie View A&M with 23 points, three assists and three steals. Shaquille Preston added 15 points off the bench, while Zachary Hamilton added 15 on a perfect night from the free throw line (5-of-5). Gary Blackston added 14 off the bench, while J.D. Wallace added 10.
 
Prairie View A&M shot 42.2 (27-of-64) percent from the floor and 28.6 (8-of-21) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 80 (20-of-25) percent from the free throw line.
 
Alabama State had their chances to get back on the game as they pulled to within one possession three times in the second half. However, the Hornets missed a shot on each trip down the floor and Prairie View A&M was able to extend the lead back to six.
 
"We just have to execute better," Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson said. "We had a chance to take the lead a couple of times and came down, we just rushed the shots. We have to be more disciplined about what we do, and that has to do with youth. We are young and you have to play disciplined in this league on the road to give yourself a chance to win."
 
The Hornets return to action Monday night against Texas Southern with an 8:05 pm tip set. The game will be carried by AT&T Sports Southwest, and can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network.
 
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