NICEVILLE, Fla. | An early first half run by Chattanooga proved to be too much for Alabama State to overcome as the Hornets fell 74-56 in the opening game of the Emerald Coast Classic for both teams Friday afternoon.

After an Austin Rogers' three-pointer tied the game at 5-all with 16:33 remaining in the opening half, Chattanooga (4-3) used a 13-0 run to pull away over the next three minutes to take an 18-5 lead with 13:21 remaining in the half. The Mocs were able to put another run together near the end of the first half to take a 48-22 lead, before Alabama State was able to respond in the second half with a run of their own.

The Hornets trimmed the deficit to 19 at one point in the half after trailing by as many as 30, using pressure defense and fast break baskets. A dunk from Tobi Ewuosho with 8:25 to play in the contest pulled the Hornets to within 63-44 and was part of a 7-0 run from Alabama State. The Hornets were able to pull to within 18 at the end of the contest thanks in part to another run late.

Ewuosho led Alabama State with 10 points, the only player in double figures for the Hornets, while Jeremy Hamilton added eight. Ewuosho also added a team-high eight rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals in the loss.

Alabama State (0-6) shot 38.5 (20-of-52) percent from the floor and 21.1 (4-of-19) percent from beyond the arc, while shooting 63.2 (12-of-19) percent from the free throw line. They were able to force 15 turnovers from Chattanooga in the loss.

Stefan Kenic led four players in double figures for Chattanooga with 15 points, while Ramon Vila added 13 points and six rebounds. David Jean-Baptiste added 11 and Matt Ryan 10 for Chattanooga who finished the game shooting 47.5 (29-of-61) percent from the floor. They also shot 27.3 (6-of-22) percent from beyond the arc and 62.5 (10-of-16) percent from the free throw line.

Alabama State will meet Chicago State in the consolation of the bracket Saturday morning at 10 am, with the game carried on the Hornet Sports Network beginning at 9:45 am.

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