PINE BLUFF, Ark. | Alabama State fell behind by double digits early in the game, but fought back to take the lead only to come up short in a hard-fought 82-71 loss to UAPB at the H.O. Clemmons Arena Saturday night.

Alabama State (4-10, 2-1 SWAC) fell behind 15-0 to start the game, before roaring back with eight unanswered of their own to pull to within seven midway through the second half. The run continued and was stretched to an 18-6 run to tie the game at 27-all with just under four minutes to play in the first half.

A three-pointer by Gene Davis at the first half buzzer gave Alabama State a 34-32 lead at the break, and they were able to build on that and continue a 10-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game at nine early in the second half. After a back-and-forth between the two over seven minutes, UAPB was able to pull away down the stretch for the win.

Reginald Gee led three players from Alabama State in double figures with 19 points, while Jacoby Ross and Tobi Ewuosho each finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds – his first double-double of the season - in the loss for the Hornets. Alabama State finished the night shooting 44.2 (23-of-52) percent from the floor, and also hit on 47.1 (8-of-17) percent from beyond the arc. They also hit on just 60.7 (17-of-28) percent from the free throw line, while forcing 17 Golden Lion turnovers.

Meanwhile, UAPB (5-10, 2-0 SWAC) was led Martaveous McKnight with 27 points, while Shaun Doss finished with 20 points. The Golden Lions finished the night shooting 57.4 (27-of-47) percent from the floor and 58.3 (7-of-12) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 61.8 (21-of-34) percent from the free throw line in the win.

NOTEWORTHY

Tobi Ewuosho recorded a double-double in the loss, his first of the season and the second of his career (first was against Iowa last season).

The double-double by Ewuosho was the seventh of the season for the Hornets.

Reginald Gee scored in double figures for the 46th time in his career, and the ninth time this season; while the Hornets had three players in double figures for the second time in a game.

The starting lineup on the floor for the Hornets tonight are 2-3 in the last five games.

QUOTABLE

"We got down 15-0 early, and fought back to take the lead at the break. We had some great effort in the first half after we fell behind early. We were able to stretch the lead out a little bit at the beginning of the second half, before they made their own run and pulled away in the second half." – Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson said after the loss

"The effort just has to be better. We knew going in we had to keep them off the glass and limit their touches, but we just disappeared for the last 10 minutes of the game on defense. We didn't get any stops when we needed to get them, and that cost us." – Jackson said about the game plan

"It's always tough to win in this league on the road, no matter where you play. You always want to win your games at home, and get a split on the road. Now we just have to do things the tough way, and win the back end of the road trip against a tough Mississippi Valley State team. We are still in good shape, we just have to continue to work to get better." – Jackson on the road trip

WHAT'S NEXT

Alabama State hits the road Monday night to face Mississippi Valley State with tip set for 7:30 pm.

The game will be the last on this road trip, before the team heads to Birmingham to face Alabama A&M Saturday afternoon.

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