MONTGOMERY/HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Following a pair of Southwestern Athletic Conference home wins this past week, the Alcorn State University men's basketball team will look to carry that momentum on the road this week as they will play at Alabama State on Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m. and then on Monday at Alabama A&M beginning at 6 p.m.
Alcorn (2-6, 2-1 SWAC) picked up their first two wins of the season that were both conference victories this past weekend defeating Mississippi Valley State (71-59) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (82-48). In the most recent game against the Golden Lions, Troymain Crosby went for a game-high 18 points, while Oddyst Walker and David Pierce III added 15 points apiece and Kurk Lee made in four in double-figures with 14 points. It was a milestone game for Lee as he eclipsed 1,000 career points during the contest.
It's been a competitive start to the conference season for the Braves as they came close in their opener at Grambling State, falling just short by five (79-74). Since then, Alcorn has won the previous two games by a combined 46 points.
As a team, Alcorn is averaging 66.50 points per game, making 182-450 (40.4) from the field, 48-161 (29.8) from three and 120-169 (71.0) from the foul line. Opponents are averaging 84.13 per game, making 224-437 (51.3) from the field, 70-173 (40.5) from three and 155-232 (66.8) from the foul line.
Individually, Crosby leads the way averaging 19.2 points per game and also adds 4.0 rebounds per game and is shooting 37-82 (45.1) from the field and 38-59 (76) from the foul line. He is also coming off of a SWAC Player of the Week accolade. Pierce III adds 15.0 points per game and Lee is at 11.8 points per game, while adding 17 assists. Tyree Corbett is just outside averaging double-figures sitting at 9.9 points per game. He leads the team in rebounds at 5.5 per game. Byron Joshua leads the team in assists with 21 and also in steals with nine.
Current standings in the SWAC has Southern leading the way at 3-0, followed by Prairie View A&M (2-0) and both Alabama A&M and Jackson State tied at 1-0. Alcorn State sits fifth at 2-1, Grambling State follows at 3-2, UAPB at 2-2, Alabama State at 1-4, Texas Southern at 0-2 and Mississippi Valley State at 0-4.
Alcorn ranks high in the SWAC and nationally in multiple categories including leading the conference in turnovers per game (14.4), second in the conference in turnover margin (-1.2), fourth in the conference in free throws made (120), fourth in the conference in free throw percentage (71), fourth in the conference in scoring offense per game (66.5), fourth in the conference in three point field goals made (48), fifth in the conference and 50th nationally in fewest turnovers (115), fifth in the conference in offensive rebounds per game (10.62) and fifth in the conference in three point field goals per game (6.0).
Individually, Crosby is second in the conference and 50th nationally in points per game (19.2), he also ranks third in the SWAC in free throws made (38), sixth in field goal percentage (45.1) and seventh in free throw percentage (76.0). Corbett is fourth in the conference in offensive rebounds per game (2.62), which ranks 103rd nationally, sixth in the conference in double-doubles (1) and 10th in rebounds per game (5.5). Walker ranks ninth in the conference in free throw percentage (72.7) and 10th in the conference in steals per game (1.3), Joshua ranks eighth in the conference in assists per game (2.6).
Alabama State is off to a 1-4 overall start and 1-4 in SWAC play as they fell at Alabama A&M this past week, 70-63. Prior to that, the Hornets split road games falling at UAPB (91-82), but defeated Mississippi Valley State (64-51). As a team, Alabama State averages 60.40 points per game, making 1010-271 (37.3) from the field, 26-87 (29.9) from three and 74-106 (69.8) from the foul line. Opponents average 67.60 points per game, making 116-274 (42.3) from the field, 34-106 (32.1) from three and 72-97 (74.2) from the foul line. Kenny Strawbridge leads the team averaging 13 points per game, followed by Brandon Battle at nine points per game. Strawbridge nearly averages a double-double with 9.4 rebounds. Battle is also approaching double-double status bringing down seven rebounds per game.
Alabama State holds a slight 47-39 edge in the series, but Alcorn took both meetings last year and both by three points. In the first meeting in Lorman, the Braves took a 63-60 victory and in the second meeting in Montgomery, Alcorn took the 80-77 win to sweep the season series.
Alcorn will finish the trip traveling to face Alabama A&M on Monday as the Bulldogs are 3-0 overall and 1-0 in SWAC play. They opened the season with a two-point win over Samford and also have a double-overtime win over South Alabama. They were able to play their first SWAC game this past week defeating Alabama State (70-63).
Cameron Tucker and EJ Williams lead the team averaging 8.67 points per game. Jevon Tatum is at 8.5 per game and Anjay Cortez adds 8.0 points per game. Williams leads the team in rebounds averaging 8.3 per game, while Jalen Johnson adds 7.3 per contest.
Alcorn holds a slight 24-21 series lead over Alabama A&M splitting last year's meetings with Alcorn winning the first game by a point in Lorman, 59-58. During the second meeting in Huntsville, the Bulldogs took the 71-61 victory.
