MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — Alabama State defeated Alcorn State 81-66 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday night at Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The Hornets improved to 5-11 overall, while the Braves fell to 2-13. Alabama State led 38-32 at halftime and extended its advantage with a 43-point second half. Alcorn State could not close the gap, scoring 34 points after intermission. The game, organized by the SWAC, drew an attendance of 1,101. Alabama State was a pregame favorite and covered the spread as the total score fell under the projected over/under line.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — Asjon Anderson scored 23 points and Alabama State used a decisive second-half surge to pull away from Alcorn State for an 81-66 victory in a Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The Hornets, who led by six at halftime, opened the second period with a 12-5 run to establish a double-digit advantage they would not relinquish. The Braves could not mount a sustained challenge, as Alabama State’s defense tightened and its offense found a consistent rhythm to secure the conference win in front of 1,101 fans. The most critical sequence of the game occurred early in the second half, effectively dousing any hopes of an Alcorn State comeback. Leading 38-32 at the break, Alabama State came out of the locker room with immediate purpose. Anderson, who played 34 minutes, ignited the run with a 3-pointer, and Micah Simpson added a driving layup. After Alcorn State’s Nick Woodard connected from deep to briefly interrupt the momentum, the Hornets reeled off seven straight points. A Jasteven Walker 3-pointer, assisted by Simpson, capped the burst and gave Alabama State a 50-37 lead with just over 17 minutes remaining. The Braves never got closer than nine points the rest of the way, as the Hornets’ lead ballooned to as many as 18. Alabama State (5-11, 2-1 SWAC) improved to .500 in conference play, led by Anderson’s efficient night from Tacoma, Washington. Simpson, from Morristown, Tennessee, added 15 points, while Damarien Yates of Somerville, Tennessee, contributed six points, two blocks, and disruptive interior defense. The Hornets shot 38% from the floor but capitalized on 18 Alcorn State turnovers, converting them into 22 points. Alcorn State (2-13, 1-2) was led by Shane Lancaster’s 15 points. The guard from Bowie, Maryland, also tallied three assists and three steals. Tycen McDaniels of Columbus, Georgia, added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Jameel Morris from Willingboro, New Jersey, finished with 10 points and four assists. The Braves struggled offensively, shooting 32% from the field and just 24% from 3-point range, hampering their ability to keep pace. The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring eight lead changes. Alabama State built an early 9-2 lead before Alcorn State responded with a 9-0 run of its own, highlighted by a Travis Roberts 3-pointer. The Hornets regained control late in the period, closing the half on a 9-2 spurt to take a 38-32 lead into intermission, setting the stage for their game-breaking run after halftime. The victory moved Alabama State above .500 in the SWAC early in the conference schedule. The Hornets will host Alabama A&M on Saturday. Alcorn State, which had won its previous game at Alabama A&M, looks to rebound at home against Texas Southern, also on Saturday. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Alabama State entered with a 61.9% probability to win. The Hornets covered the pregame spread of -7.5. The total score of 147 fell under the over/under line of 150.5.

Preview: Alcorn State Braves at Alabama State Hornets MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — Two SWAC men’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Monday when the Alabama State Hornets host the Alcorn State Braves at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. Both teams enter with losing overall records. Alcorn State (2-12) snapped a six-game losing streak with a 64-62 road win at Alabama A&M on Saturday. Alabama State (4-11) looks to rebound from a 75-64 home loss to Jackson State that same day. The Braves will lean on guard Jameel Morris, who is coming off a strong performance. In the win over Alabama A&M, Morris logged 34 minutes, scoring 21 points and adding four assists and a block. He also scored 21 points in a narrow loss at Jackson State on Jan. 3. The Hornets counter with guard Tyler Byrd, their leading scorer in the loss to Jackson State. Byrd put up 18 points in 29 minutes. He has been a consistent offensive threat, including an 11-point, three-assist effort at Memphis last month. Alcorn State’s season has been defined by a challenging non-conference schedule featuring road losses to power conference opponents Baylor, Mississippi, LSU, Oklahoma and Iowa State. Their only other win came against Indiana State in November. Alabama State has also faced a tough slate, with road defeats to Memphis, Cincinnati and Missouri. Their most decisive victory was an 89-69 win at Mississippi Valley State on Jan. 3. This matchup opens a key stretch of conference play for both squads. Following this game, Alabama State will prepare for a home contest against Alabama A&M next Saturday. Alcorn State continues its road swing before hosting Texas Southern next Saturday. Tip-off is set for Monday night in Montgomery.