GRAMBLING, La. | For the second consecutive contest Alabama State found itself down early by double digits in the first half, only to battle back and take a second half lead. However, they were unable to hold that lead due in large part to a second half run late in the half in a 68-63 loss to Grambling State in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action Monday night.

Alabama State (1-14, 0-2 SWAC) fell behind by 12 early in the first half and trailed by six at the break, before going on a 10-4 run to tie the contest with 15:34 remaining the game. They took their first lead on the next possession on a DJ Heath jumper, 44-42 and the teams traded baskets for the next two minutes until the Hornets took a 46-45 lead on a Brandon Battle layup.

The basket by Battle started a 9-3 run that put Alabama State up 53-47 on a Jacoby Ross three-pointer that forced a Grambling State timeout with 10 minutes remaining in the contest.

Grambling State answered with a 10-0 run of their own over the next four minutes to take a 59-53 lead with just over five minutes left in the contest, and they were able to put the game away with free throws down the stretch.

Battle led Alabama State with 13 points and five rebounds, while Ross finished with 11 points and three assists in the win.

Quotable
"The guys played hard and they will always play hard. We just have to find a way to finish, we battle back and battle back, but then we force a bad shot. We just have to run our offense to give ourselves a chance. It's tough to win in this conference, and we just have to be ready to play this weekend. It is going to nice to see some familiar places, but Mississippi Valley is going to be ready to play." – Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson

Notes
Tobi Ewuosho was held out of double figures for just the third time this season after getting into foul trouble in the first half, and for the third time he was held to nine points.

Battle scored in double figures for the fourth time this season, leading the Hornets in scoring in conference action.

Up Next
Alabama State returns to action Saturday at 5 pm against Mississippi Valley State in a conference contest at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network, with pregame beginning 15 minutes prior to the contest.

Tickets are still available for the contest and can be purchased – along with season tickets – by calling 334.229.4551 or by visiting BamaStateSports.com. There a limited number of courtside seats available for the season and per game by emailing Terrance Jones at tjones@alasu.edu.

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