MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State opens Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play at home with a pair of games this weekend, beginning with Mississippi Valley State Saturday afternoon.

Alabama State (1-14, 0-2 SWAC) will hit the floor at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome for the first time this year against the Delta Devils with tip set for 5 pm, with the game being carried on the Hornet Sports Network. They will turn around and host UAPB on Monday night beginning at 7:30 in conference action.

The teams met last year in Montgomery late in the season, with the Hornets splitting the contests by beating Mississippi Valley State (82-59).

#What to Watch For
Tobi Ewuosho, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, was named the SWAC Player of the Week two weeks ago for his performance against Austin Peay – the second award of the year for the senior forward.

He is the lone player averaging double figures for the Hornets as he has scored in double figures in 12 of the first 15 games this season. In the three games he has not scored in double figures, he has finished with nine and currently averages 14.2 per game. Ewuosho leads the team in rebounding at 5.9 rebounds per game and is among the conference leaders in free throw shooting at 80.9 (55-of-68) percent this season.

Brandon Battle, who narrowly missed a double-double against UAB and No. 6/10 Oregon with 14 points and nine rebounds, is second on the team in scoring and third in rebounding. He is averaging 7.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Leon Daniels is averaging 6.7 points per game and Jacoby Ross 6.4 per game.

Ross went over the 800-point mark with 13 points against Oregon and scored 11 against Grambling State, giving him 822 career points through two-plus years for the Hornets. Meanwhile Kevin Holston needs just one more assist to hit 100 for his career in just his second season.

#Scouting Mississippi Valley State
Mississippi Valley State enters the contest after a loss to UAPB in their conference opener, the lone conference game the Delta Devils have played this season and are in search of their first victory this season.

The Delta Devils have two players in double figures this season, led by Michael Green at 17.5 points per game. He is joined in double figures by Caleb Hunter at 12.1 points per game.
 
#Scouting UAPB
UAPB defeated Mississippi Valley State to open the season, led by Markedric Bell who was named the SWAC Player of the Week this week.

He had a career-high game in his home state in a dominant performance in the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions Southwestern Athletic Conference opener at Mississippi Valley State. Bell scored 26 of his 33 points in the second half and scored those 26 points consecutively for the Golden Lions over a seven-plus minute span as UAPB scored a season-high 55 points in the second half.

#Season Tickets
Season tickets are still available for Alabama State basketball by calling 334-229-4551 or by visiting BamaStateSports.com. There are also still a limited number of courtside seats available for all home games, and for more information contact Deputy Director of Athletics Terrance Jones at tjones@alasu.edu. 

#Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University men's basketball, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateMBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.