Alabama State's Asjon Anderson stole the show at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome, scoring 23 points to lead his team to an 81-66 victory over Alcorn State. The Hornets' win was fueled by a strong second-half performance, where they outscored the Braves 43-34. Anderson's impressive outing was complemented by Micah Simpson's 15 points and 6 rebounds, as the duo helped Alabama State improve its record to 6-13.
The game got off to a competitive start, with Alabama State taking a 38-32 lead into halftime. However, the Hornets' offense caught fire in the second half, with Anderson and Simpson leading the charge. Alcorn State's Shane Lancaster did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 15 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Hornets' balanced attack. Tycen McDaniels added 14 points and 8 rebounds for the Braves, while Jameel Morris chipped in with 10 points.
As the second half wore on, Alabama State's lead continued to grow, with the Hornets' defense holding Alcorn State to just 34 points. The Braves' struggles on the road continued, as they fell to 3-16 on the season. Despite the loss, Lancaster's performance was a bright spot for Alcorn State, and he want to build on this outing in the team's next game.
The win was a much-needed boost for Alabama State, which had been struggling to find consistency this season. With the victory, the Hornets improved their net ranking to 303, according to the latest numbers. While the win was not an upset, it was an important one for Alabama State's resume, as it came against a team ranked near the bottom of the national rankings.
In terms of tournament implications, this game was not a significant factor, as both teams are unlikely to make a deep postseason run. However, for Alabama State, the win was a Quadrant 4 victory, which can still have some value on the team's resume. For Alcorn State, the loss was also a Quadrant 4 game, and it want to bounce back in its next outing.
As the season enters its final stretch, Alabama State want to build on this win and try to make a push for a stronger finish. With Anderson and Simpson leading the way, the Hornets have the potential to be a formidable opponent in their upcoming games. While this win may not have been a significant upset, it was an important one for Alabama State's confidence and momentum, and it want to carry this energy into its next game. The victory gives Alabama State a much-needed boost to its resume, and the team want to capitalize on this momentum in the coming weeks.