MONTGOMERY, Ala. | CJ Hines scored all of his game-high 19 points in the final five minutes leading Alabama State to a 62-53 victory over Florida A&M in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on Monday night.
Alabama State (11-11, 6-3 SWAC) trailed 40-38 before Hines went on his streak to tie the game up at 40-all. He scored 19 of the final 24 points by the Hornets in the victory, helping Alabama State end a modest two-game losing streak and keep the team one game back of the conference lead.
He led six players who scored seven or more points in the win including Ubong Okon who finished with seven points and nine rebounds including a pair of free throws in the final seconds to help seal the win.
Alabama State ended the game shooting 31.4 (22-of-70) percent from the floor and just 20 (4-of-20) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the night shooting 77.8 (14-of-18) from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Florida A&M finished the night shooting 41.3 (19-of-46) percent from the floor and 33.3 (5-of-15) percent from beyond the arc.
Jalen Speer paced Florida A&M (4-16, 2-7 SWAC) with 17 points.
How It Happened
- The two teams struggled through the first four minutes of the game, combining to go 1-of-11 from the floor, with the Hornets missing their first eight shots. TJ Madlock broke the string of 10 consecutive missed shots with a jumper with 14:21 to play in the half to tie the game.
- Both teams struggled in the first half with Alabama State shooting 18.8 (6-of-32) percent from the floor and 11.1 (1-of-9) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 83.3 (5-of-6) percent from the free throw line.
- Meanwhile, Florida A&M shot 36.0 (9-of-25) percent from the floor and 25.0 (2-of-8) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot just 33.3 (2-of-6) percent from the free throw line.
- Alabama State trailed 29-22 until a 9-0 run put the Hornets up 31-29 with just 14:30 minutes to play in the game. They were able to extend the lead to 34-31 with 12:15 to play (run pushed to 14-3 to take a 36-32 lead).
- The Hornets finished the second half shooting 42.1 (16-of-38) percent from the floor and 27.3 (3-of-11) percent from beyond the arc, while also shooting 75.0 (9-of-12) percent from the free throw line. Florida A&M shot 47.6 (10-of-21) percent from the floor and 42.9 (3-of-7) percent from beyond the arc.
- Alabama State outscored Florida A&M 34-18 in the paint and forced 17 Rattler turnovers. The Hornets also finished with 46 total rebounds including 21 offensive.
Alabama State Notes
- Darrell Reed hit the court in the first half marking his first appearance since the USC game on Dec. 16.
- Hines was the lone scorer in double figures for Alabama State one night after five different players scored in double figures against Bethune-Cookman.
- Seven different players recorded four or more rebounds in the win while three different players recorded two or more steals.
Quotable, head coach Tony Madlock
Opening statement…
“Great win, we had some performances from some guys that needed to step up and they stepped up. Again, I don’t know what it is but in that first half, we shot 18 percent from the floor and 11 percent from three-point. Wow, I don’t what it is. But again, I love this group because they fight, we don’t do everything the right way, but they fight. We were without Eric Coleman so that gave an opportunity for (Darrell) Reed to step up. Just think, he has not played since the USC game and he comes out and goes for seven points in 15 minutes. We always talk about how you have to be ready, your attitude has to be right. He is always ready, and I am proud of him.”
Ubong Okon development from game one until now?
“First of all, he is a great teammate, he wants to do everything the right way. He has been rebounding the ball well but how about those free throws? You have to go to the line and make two. They fouled him and he knocked them both down and that was big. We were able to keep them off.”
What does it say when you can pull out a win when your two top scorers struggle?
“That’s what a team is about. We understand what it is about, TJ couldn’t buy one today, it was one of those nights. That’s what the team is about, you have to pick it up when others are struggling.”
Up Next
Alabama State returns to action on Saturday in Grambling (La.) against the Tigers with the game being carried by the Hornet Sports Network (audio).