AUBURN, Ala. | Alabama State (0-3) kept the score in striking distance for much of the game but fell in a road matchup against Auburn inside Auburn Arena on Tuesday evening.

After scoring the first basket of the game, the Hornets turned the ball over six times in the opening quarter – making way for six Tiger points off turnovers – and fell behind early 10-5. Ayana Emmanuel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) made both field goals for Alabama State in the quarter as Auburn closed the quarter scoring 12 unanswered to end the first with a score of 19-5.

Alabama State improved offensively over the second ten minutes, shooting 53.3 (8-of-15) percent in the quarter. The Hornets forced Auburn into six turnovers, and outscored the Tigers 20-16 in the frame, including a 11-3 run to close out the half.

Auburn came out strong out of the break, extending their lead to 46-30 with just under five minutes to play in the third, however Alabama State continued to fight, staying within striking distance with the score at 50-38 heading into the final ten minutes of play.

The Tigers regained their momentum in the final quarter, steadily stretching their lead to over 20 points at 66-45 with just over two minutes left, handing Alabama State their third loss of the year by a score of 74-45.

Emmanuel finished with a team-high 18 points, four rebounds and three steals, and was followed by fellow senior Jayla Crawford (Birmingham, Ala.) who logged 14 points including shooting a perfect 100 (6-of-6) percent from the charity stripe.

Seven Auburn players scored in the game, led by Honesty Scott-Grayson who finished with 19 points and nine rebounds, followed by Kiyae' White with 15 points and seven rebounds and Aicha Couilibaly who finished with a near double-double with nine points and nine rebounds on the evening.

GAME NOTES

• Alabama State shot 53.3 (8-of-15) percent in the second quarter en route to scoring 20 points, both their highest totals of the season for a quarter so far.
• The Hornets forced Auburn into 21 turnovers, compared to 23 of their own and were outrebounded for the second time this season.
• Alabama State outscored their opponent for the first quarter of the year with the 20-16 second quarter and played Auburn in the second and third quarters to a score of 33-31.

Up Next
Alabama State will play their second Southeastern Conference opponent of the week with a matchup against Georgia on Sunday. The game will be another SEC Network+ production and is scheduled for a 2 pm tip.

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