BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Isaiah Range returned for the first time this season and led three Alabama State players in double figures, but it wasn't enough to overcome the hot shooting of Samford in a 99-67 loss on Wednesday night at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
Range finished the night with 15 points in his first regular season game since his season-ending injury last season. He finished the night 6-of-13 from the floor and hit three three-pointers for Alabama State (1-4) in the loss. He was joined in double figures by Eric Coleman with 14 points, while CJ Hines added 12.
 
Ubong Okon led Alabama State with eight rebounds.
 
Jaden Campbell came off the bench to lead six players in double figures for Samford (3-2) with 17 points, while Achor Achor finished with 13 points Rylan Jones 11. A.J. Staton-McCray, Riley Allenspach, and Garrett Hicks each added 10 for the Bulldogs.
 
How It Happened

• Samford jumped out to an early lead in the contest and built that lead to double figures before a 10-0 run by Alabama State over a span of 1:43 trimmed the lead to 28-24.
• The Bulldogs were able to answer with a 13-3 run to close out the half and build a 41-27 lead at the intermission.
• Alabama State shot 34.8 (24-for-69) percent from the floor and 24.1 (7-for-29) percent from beyond the arc, while also shooting 63.2 (12-for-19) percent from the free throw line.
• Samford ended the night shooting 58.1 (36-for-62) percent from the floor and 45.7 (16-for-35) from beyond the arc.

Alabama State Notes

• Range played in his first regular season game since his injury last season, although he appeared in the exhibition game against LaGrange back on October 30. He finished the night playing nearly 28 minutes.
• D'Ante Bass missed the game against Samford after averaging 16 points and eight rebounds over the last two games.
• The Hornets recorded eight steals and forced 13 Samford turnovers in the loss, while the Bulldogs won the rebounding battle 43-34.
• Alabama State played 11 players on the night, with 10 of those scoring.

Up Next
Alabama State takes on North Carolina A&T Friday at 1 p.m. in its second game of the week. The game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network prior to the tip at the Pete Hanna Center.
 
Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State athletics, follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateSports (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), @bamastatesports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at bamastatesports.com.


  Read Full Article