PINE BLUFF, Ark. | Fausto Pichardo recorded his first career double-double to lead Alabama State to a 65-59 road victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play Monday night.
Pichardo recorded a career-high 17 points and 15 rebounds for Alabama State (5-18, 5-6 SWAC), finishing the night 8-of-12 from the floor after going into halftime with nine points and eight rebounds.
Reginald Gee went over the 600-point with 14 points and seven rebounds, while
Tobi Ewuosho finished with 11 points and four assists in the win.
Alabama State led for over 27 minutes in the contest, in a game that had two lead changes and seven ties. UAPB ran out to a seven point lead in the first half, before Alabama State stormed back to take an eight point lead in the second half with 14:38 to play.
The Hornets finished the night shooting 42.6 (23-of-54) percent from the floor and just 17.6 (3-of-17) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the night shooting 69.6 (16-of-23) percent from the free throw line, and winning the rebounding battle 48-25.
Meanwhile, Martavious McKnight was frustrated all night defensively by the Hornets who switched off defenders – Gee and
Terrance LeFlore – to finish with 20 points, including hitting 6-of-9 from the free throw line. He was held to just one rebound and three assists after a triple-double against Alabama A&M Saturday night.
Travon Harper finished with 12 points, while Charles Jackson had 10. UAPB (9-16, 9-2 SWAC) shot 39.2 (20-of-51) percent from the floor and 20 (3-of-15) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 64 (16-of-25) percent from the free throw line.
After the Golden Lions jumped out to a 10-6 lead early in the first half, Alabama State scored 19 of the next 29 points to take a 25-20 lead and set the tone of the game midway through the half. The Hornets were able to hold that lead going into the intermission, and came out the second half – never relinquishing the lead.
UAPB got as close as four and had a chance to get closer on a fastbreak, however, LeFlore came rushing down the court and recorded a blocked shot. He in turn was fouled and hit a free throw to turn a two-point swing for the Golden Lions into a five-point Alabama State lead with just under six minutes to play. Free throws down the stretch helped the Hornets seal the victory.
Alabama State returns to action Saturday on the road against Alabama A&M, with tip set for 5 pm. The game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network.
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