MARTIN, Tenn. -- Tyler Byrd came off the bench to lead Alabama State with 15 points, but it was not enough as the Hornets fell 74–64 to the University of Tennessee at Martin on Sunday afternoon at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.

The Hornets came out sharp controlling much of the first half and racing to an 8-2 lead behind early buckets from Asjon Anderson and Jerquarius Stanback.  ASU would later pushed the advantage to eight midway through the opening period as Alabama State shot 48 percent in the first half and capitalized in transition, posting 11 fast-break points while holding UT Martin to 0-of-2 from the free-throw line.

A strong close to the half from Byrd and Micah Simpson allowed ASU to take a 35–30 lead into the locker room.

UT Martin, however, flipped the script after the break. The Skyhawks dominated second-chance opportunities—collecting 20 second-chance points overall—and surged ahead behind Matas Deniusas and Andrija Bukumirovic. UT Martin opened the second half on a 12–5 run, tied the game at 42, and then steadily pulled away, ultimately outscoring the Hornets 44-29 after halftime.

Byrd delivered his points on 5-of-6 shooting while adding four rebounds and two steals. Stanback added 12 points, including several strong finishes at the rim, and Simpson contributed 12 points, four assists and three rebounds. Anderson finished with 11 points and four assists.

Alabama State shot a solid 45 percent from the field and 39 percent from three but was hampered by UT Martin's 44–32 rebounding advantage, particularly 20 offensive boards that repeatedly extended possessions for the Skyhawks.

Bukumirović powered UT Martin with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Deniusas and Radaković added 15 and 14 points, respectively.

The loss drops Alabama State to 3-6 on the season. The Hornets return to action on Thursday, Dec. 11, when they travel to Columbia, Mo., to face the Tigers of the University of Missouri at 7 p.m.