GRAMBLING, La. | With just two games remaining in the regular season, Alabama State finds itself in third place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) one game ahead of their final opponents this week – Grambling State and Jackson State.
Alabama State (11-15, 9-7 SWAC) is percentage points ahead of UAPB (12-18, 9-8 SWAC) in fourth, and one game ahead of Grambling State (14-15, 8-8 SWAC) and Jackson State (11-18, 8-8 SWAC) whom the Hornets defeated earlier this season. The Hornets own the tiebreaker over Grambling State after defeating the Tigers 74-53 back on January 5 in Montgomery – the first conference game of the season.
The Hornets own the tiebreaker over Jackson State after defeating the Tigers 59-57 at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome January 7.
A loss by UAPB to Mississippi Valley State, and a win by the Hornets in either game this week would assure Alabama State a home game in the quarterfinal round of the SWAC Tournament.
The game against Grambling State is scheduled for 7:30 pm Thursday evening, and can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network beginning 15 minutes prior to tip.
A LOOK INSIDE THE ALABAMA STATE HORNETS
Alabama State looks to wrap up home court in the opening round with a victory over Grambling State, with help from Mississippi Valley State and Alabama A&M Thursday night.
Reginald Gee leads the Hornets in scoring this season, averaging 13.8 on the season and is shooting 42.3 (47-of-111) percent from the floor. He is also shooting 41.2 (112-of-272) percent from beyond the arc, and has dished out 29 total assists this season.
Meanwhile,
Jacoby Ross is averaging 13.3 points per game and shooting 83.3 (65-of-78) percent from the free throw line on the season.
Leon Daniels is third on the team in scoring at 8.5 points per game and has scored in double figures in five of the last six games.
AJ Farrar, who has missed the last two games and is questionable to return this week, averages 8.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
A LOOK INSIDE THE GRAMBLING STATE TIGERS
Ivy Smith leads the SWAC in assists per game, free-throws attempted, free-throws made and total assists. He surpassed the 1,000-point plateau against Mississippi Valley State.
Dallas Polk-Hilliard is second in the conference in double-doubles with six.
The Tigers lead the SWAC in 13 different categories, including total rebounds and total rebounds per game
INSIDE THE SERIES
Alabama State leads the all-time series with Grambling State 53-26, including splitting the season series last year and after the Hornets won the first game between the two this season. Each team won on the other's home floor last season, with Alabama State claiming a 74-66 victory in Grambling.
The Tigers returned the favor with a 66-64 victory over Alabama State in the regular season finale to capture the conference championship.
WHAT'S NEXT
Alabama State returns to the floor Saturday against Jackson State on the road in the regular season finale.
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