MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama State delivered its most dominant performance of the young season Friday night, rolling past Virginia University of Lynchburg 124–68 at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The Hornets controlled the game from the opening tip, scoring the first eight points and never trailing while piling up a season-high in points, assists, and fast-break production.
Micah Simpson led the way with 19 points, adding seven assists and five rebounds in a highly efficient two-way outing, while Damarien Yates came off the bench and matched Simpson with 19 points in his best outing of the early season. Asjon Anderson was just one point back of his backcourt partner with 18 points and four assists.
Jerquarius Stanback added 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, while Tyler Byrd energized the crowd with 18 points, including multiple highlight dunks in transition. Mario Andrews delivered a monster effort on the glass, pulling down 16 rebounds—14 of them on the offensive end, and completing a double-double, ASU's first of the season, with 10 points. R'Chaun King hit all of his four field goal attempts to reach double-figures with 11 points.
Alabama State's pressure defense was relentless, forcing 27 turnovers and converting them into 45 points, fueling repeated transition runs that quickly stretched the lead. The Hornets dominated the paint 76–22 and outscored VUL 64–26 off the bench, showcasing their depth as 11 different players scored at least five points.
Alabama State shot 57% from the field and topped 60 points in each half, building a 63–29 lead at the break and extending it to as many as 60 in the second half.
Brayden Smith led VUL with 11 points, while Filaun Paythress added 11 more thanks to a strong showing at the free-throw line.
The win moves Alabama State to 2–1 on the season as the Hornets look ahead to a challenging upcoming stretch with five road games on a west coast trip that will see the Hornets play Colorado, Air Force, IU Indy, SIUE, and New Mexico.
