MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Leon Daniels led a pair of players in double figures, but it wasn't enough as Alabama State dropped a 71-59 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) contest to Jackson State at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome Thursday night.

Daniels finished the night with 14 points and eight rebounds for the Hornets, while Tobi Ewuosho finished with 10 for the Hornets who finished the night shooting 32.2 (19-of-59) percent from the floor and 25.0 (6-of-24) percent from beyond the arc. The Hornets also shot 71.4 (15-of-21) percent from the free throw line in the loss, while forcing 17 turnovers.

Venji Wallis led Jackson State with 21 points, while Jayveous McKinnis added 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Tigers who finished the night shooting 54.9 (28-of-51) percent from the floor and 41.7 (5-of-12) percent from beyond the arc. Jackson State also shot 55.6 (10-of-18) percent from the free throw line in the loss.

Alabama State (8-22, 7-10 SWAC) fell behind early in the first half after shooting just 11.5 (3-of-26) percent from the floor and trailed 36-12 at the break. However, after getting down 39-12 early in the second half, Alabama State was able to battle back and to get to within 15 midway through the second half on a Kevin Holston three-pointer with 9:50 to play – pulling to within 54-39.

After a quick spurt by Jackson State pushed the lead back to 20 at 61-41, Holston hit another three-pointer with 6:55 to play to pull Alabama State to within 61-44 before a pair of free throws from Daniels got the Hornets to within 15 at 61-46 with under six minutes to play in the game. The Hornets kept battling down the stretch and pulled to within 13 at 63-50 on a pair of Daniels free throws with 4:06 remaining. That was as close as the Hornets could get down the stretch, pulling to within 69-59 with under 40 seconds remaining in the contest.

With the loss, Alabama State will finish seventh in the regular season standings, however, they will not know their opponent or site for the opening round until play is complete on Saturday. The Hornets could play at two different locales heading into Saturday including Houston (Texas Southern) or Baton Rouge (Southern).

Alabama State returns to action Saturday in the regular season finale against Grambling State, with tip set for 5 pm at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome and it will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network. The Hornets will honor their senior class prior to tip Saturday.

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