MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State returns home after a road trip to Texas, beginning a three-game home stand Saturday evening against UAPB at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action.

Alabama State (8-12, 6-3 SWAC) finds itself near the top of the conference race at the midway point of the season, with the top four seeds all earning a chance to host their first round conference tournament game at the end of the regular season. The Hornets are currently tied with Texas Southern and Jackson State, sitting two games back of Prairie View A&M and one game ahead of Grambling State for fifth in the SWAC.

Meanwhile, UAPB (7-15, 4-5 SWAC) is two games back of the grouping in second place, having lost five of their last six games in conference play. Alabama State looks to avoid the season sweep at the hands of the Golden Lions, as UAPB was able to pull away late for an 11-point victory earlier this season in Arkansas.

The game tips at 5 pm, and can be seen on the Hornet Sports Network beginning immediately after the women's game or 15 minutes prior to tip. Tickets are still available and can be purchased for $10 general admission and $15 for reserved seating.

Promotions

• Alabama State welcomes back former Hornets and Lady Hornets to the Dunn-Oliver Acadome Saturday against UAPB on Alumni Night.
• All former basketball players, for both men and women, will be recognized for their time at Alabama State during the contest.

Inside the Alabama State Hornets

• Alabama State is currently tied for second in the conference at 6-3 with Texas Southern and Jackson State, sitting three games back of Prairie View A&M and one game ahead of Grambling State for fifth in the conference at the official midway point of the season.
• The Hornets enter the contest having dropped their last two games on the road to Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M, but are 6-0 at home this season – including 4-0 in conference games.
• Reginald Gee eclipsed the 1,000-point mark on the road at Texas Southern and currently sits 1,013 career points, leading the Hornets in scoring this season at 14.5 points per game (14.3 in conference games).
• Jacoby Ross is second on the team in scoring at 13.9 points per game (12.8 in conference play) and is over 600 points in his career in just his second season at Alabama State. Meanwhile, AJ Farrar – who earned the start against Prairie View A&M is third on the team in scoring at 8.2 points per game and leads the team in rebounding at 5.4 rebounds per game.
• Kevin Holston dished out nine assists against Texas Southern in a loss last weekend, and has recorded 43 assists on the season – five shy of the team lead.

Inside the UAPB Golden Lions

• UAPB enters the game after having lost their previous contests, and five of the last six – all in conference play since wins over Alabama State and Alabama A&M the second week of January.
• The Golden Lions last win came at home against Texas Southern back on January 29 – a four-point win at the H.O. Clemmons Arena.
• UAPB is 1-14 away from home this season, with their lone win coming against Arkansas-Little Rock back on November 24; the Golden Lions are 0-4 in conference play on the road.
• Martaveous McKnight leads UAPB in scoring – although his averaged has dropped over the last month – at 20.6 points per game, while Shaun Doss is the only other player in double figures at 11.0 points per game.

Last Time vs. UAPB

• Alabama State trailed most of the first half, but took the halftime lead on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Gene Davis. They used that shot to start a 10-0 run, taking a lead in the second half before UAPB went on a run late in the second half to pull away with the win (82-71).
• UAPB started the game on a 15-0 run before Alabama State roared back in the first half with eight unanswered to pull to within seven midway through the half.
• Gee led Alabama State with 19 points, while Ross and Tobi Ewuosho each finished with 11 – with Ewuosho recording a double-double with 12 rebounds. Meanwhile, McKnight led UAPB with 27 points and Doss added 20.

Inside the Series

• Alabama State leads the all-time series with UAPB, 28-12, and the two teams have split the last four meetings.
• Prior to the split, UAPB had won three consecutive in the series from January 2016 until January 2017; and the two teams have split the last four meetings at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
• Last season, the two teams split the season series with each winning on the opponent's home floor – UAPB defeated Alabama State 94-68 last January at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

What's Next

• Alabama State hosts Mississippi Valley State in their second of three consecutive home games Monday night at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
• Tip is set for 7:30 pm (cst) and can be seen on the Hornet Sports Network. Tickets are still available at $10 for general admission and $15 for reserved seating.

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