MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State used a double-double from AJ Farrar to battle back from a double-digit deficit in the first half, and held off a late Southern charge for a 69-65 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome Monday night.

Alabama State (8-10, 6-1 SWAC) fell behind by as many as 13 in the first half before coming back to take the lead late in the first half, before Southern (3-18, 2-6 SWAC) was able to take the lead into the locker room at 35-34. The Hornets came out in the second shooting 50 (11-of-22) percent to build a 14-point lead with 8:33 remaining before Southern was able to pull within three.

Farrar put the game away with a free throw with just nine seconds remaining in the contest.

The junior finished with his third double-double of the season as she scored a game-high 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds (including six offensive). He was joined in double figures by Reginald Gee with 15 and Tobi Ewuosho with 10 as the Hornets shot 45.7 (21-of-46) percent from the floor, and 33.3 (4-of-12) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot just 56.4 (22-of-39) percent from the free throw line, while winning the rebounding total 41-36.

Meanwhile, Southern was led by Hassan Hussein off the bench with 17 points.

Noteworthy
Alabama State equaled their win total from last year with eight, and currently sit among the best turnarounds in college basketball through the first 18 games.

Jacoby Ross scored eight points in the contest before getting into foul trouble, giving him 600 in his career in just 44 games.

Gee is sitting just four points short of 1,000 for his career after the performance against Southern, giving him 996 for his career. The junior returns to his hometown looking for the milestone this weekend.

Lewis Jackson recorded his 195th career victory at Alabama State.

The double-double from Farrar is the eighth of the season for the Hornets, and his third of the season – all at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

Ewuosho scored in double figures for the third consecutive game, and the fourth time in five games for the Hornets.

Quotable
"Tonight was the tough game of the stretch because there is such a quick turnaround from the Saturday game. We tried to tell our guys how tough it was going to be, and Southern really came out and played hard in the first half. We just had to keep fighting and grinding to get back in it, and our guys just kept believing the entire game." – Jackson on toughness of game

"Man, AJ is a beast. He just came in and battled, coming in late in the first half. He is a warrior for us every time he hits the floor, and is not afraid to play against anyone. He played really well, Leon (Daniels) came in and really battled for us tonight. Kevin (Holston) played a great game tonight for us and was able to help us stay in the game." – Jackson on individual play tonight

"I am happy for those guys – Jacoby and Gee – for what they have been able to do in getting milestones. They have continued to work hard every day they have been here. We just have to keep them working because it doesn't get any easier for us. We have to go to a tough place to play at Texas Southern next, and we need everybody ready to play. Tonight we came together as a team and showed, the guys were fighting for each other all night." – Jackson on milestones and unity

What's Next
Alabama State hits the road to face Texas Southern Saturday afternoon in Houston, before a trip to Prairie View A&M on Monday.

The trip is the official halfway point of the season in the conference for Alabama State.

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