MONTGOMERY, Ala. | After a non-conference schedule that was ranked as the second toughest in the country by ESPN, Alabama State will open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on the road with a two-game stretch beginning at Jackson State Saturday.

Alabama State (1-12) looks to end a six-game losing streak on the floor that they won an opening round tournament game last season on their way to the SWAC semifinals. The Hornets and Jackson State (3-10) met three times last season, including twice within a week in Jackson (Miss.) – splitting those two meetings.

They will follow that meeting up with the Tigers with a contest against Grambling State (6-6) Monday night. Alabama State and Grambling State split their meetings last season, with each winning on their own home floor, while two years ago they won on each other's floor on their way to a split.

The game with Jackson State tips at 5 pm Saturday afternoon, while the contest against Grambling State tips at 7:30 pm. Both games will be carried as part of doubleheaders on the Hornet Sports Network.

#What to Watch For
Tobi Ewuosho, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, was named the SWAC Player of the Week after his performance against UAB and Austin Peay. He scored a career-high 25 points in the Hornets' last game against Austin Peay in the Basketball Destinations St. Pete Shootout before the Christmas break.

He is the lone player averaging double figures for the Hornets as he has scored in double figures in 11 of the first 13 games this season. In the two 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 6.1 rebounds per game and is among the conference leaders in free throw shooting at 80.0 (44-of-55) percent this season.

Brandon Battle, who narrowly missed a double-double against No. 6/10 Oregon with 14 points and nine rebounds, is second on the team in scoring and third in rebounding. He is averaging 7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Leon Daniels is averaging 6.7 points per game.

Jacoby Ross went over the 800-point mark with 13 points against Oregon, giving him 811 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. Holston has dished out an assist in all but three games this season.

#Scouting Jackson State
Jackson State enters the game with three wins on the season and has faced a pair of ranked teams – No. 9 Memphis and No. 7 Baylor – in their last two games. The Tigers have played 11 of their first 13 games of the season on the road, and Saturday's game will be the first at home since December 16.

The Tigers are led by Tristan Jarrett, the conference's leading scorer, at 19.5 points per game while he is shooting 40.6 (97-of-239) percent from the floor. He is one of three players in double figures for Jackson State, with Roland Griffin averaging 15.5 points per game in four games this season. He is shooting 37.9 (22-of-58) percent from the floor.

Meanwhile, Jayveous McKinnis – a preseason All-SWAC selection – is averaging 10.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. The trio has combined for 390 field goal attempts, 48.2 percent of the field goals attempted by Jackson State this season.

#Scouting Grambling State
Grambling State enters the weekend with a .500 record, including a perfect 4-0 record at home though the first 12 games of the 2019-20 season.

The Tigers will host Alabama A&M Saturday night before the Hornets travel into town, the first home game since December 14 after the Tigers faced Marquette and Dayton on the road.

DeVante Jackson leads three players in double figures for Grambling State at 14.5 points per game, while shooting 57.7 (75-of-130) percent from the floor. He is also averaging 5.4 rebounds per game, while Ivy Smith, Jr. – a preseason All-SWAC selection – is averaging 12.4 points per game and has dished out 56 assists and recorded 35 steals.

Meanwhile, Kelton Edwards is averaging 10.0 points per game and Terreon Randolph 6.4 rebounds per game.

#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.