JACKSON, Miss./GRAMBLING, La. – After having the first two games of the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule postponed, the Alcorn State University men's basketball team will look to open conference play this week at Jackson State and Grambling State.
Alcorn (0-5) hasn't played since facing #2 Baylor back on Dec. 30 in which the Braves scored a season-high in points before the Bears took the 105-76 victory. The past two games were each postponed by COVID-19 against Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M.
Tyree Corbett scored a season-high 24 points to lead the Braves, connecting on 9-15 from the field, a pair of three-pointers, four free throws, grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and swiped four steals in 31 minutes. David Pierce III reached double-figures in scoring for the third time this season tallying 13 points against the Bears. Byron Joshua scored a season-high 12 points as the freshman also added a team-high eight assists and grabbed five rebounds.
In addition to setting a new season-high in points against Baylor, Alcorn set new marks in free throws (22), assists (10) and steals (9), while tying season-highs in field goals (24) and three-pointers (6).
As a team, the Braves have made 105-280 (37.5) from the field, 23-90 (25.6) from three and 72-106 (67.9) from the foul line. Opponents have made 165-296 (55.7) from the field, 56-125 (44.8) from three and 101-145 (69.7) from the foul line. Individually, five players are averaging at least eight players led by Troymain Crosby's 18.7 points per game. He sits just eight points shy of reaching 1,000 points during his career at Alcorn. Corbett also adds double-figures in scoring at 12.2 per game. David Pierce III adds 9.4 and both Oddyst Walker and Kurk Lee are at eight points per game. Corbett leads the team in rebounds per game at 6.8, along with a team-high six steals, while Byron Joshua has a team-best 17 assists.
In the SWAC, Alcorn ranks fifth in points per game (61.0), fifth in field goal percentage (37.5), third in offensive rebounds per game (13.0). Individually, Corbett is just on the outside of the top-10 in scoring averaging 12.2 points per game to come in 11th, he is also sixth in the conference in rebounding per game (6.8) and is fourth in field goal percentage (55.6). Joshua is fourth in assists per game (3.4) and fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.9).
Alcorn will open the week on Saturday at Jackson State starting at 5:30 p.m. The Tigers (1-5, 1-0 SWAC) picked up their first win of the season last time out defeating Alabama State, 60-44. Last year, Jackson State took both matchups winning the first meeting at Alcorn State, 76-65, and then taking the second meeting in Jackson, 86-57.
As a team, Jackson State has made 113-327 (34.6) from the field, 28-99 (28.3) from three and 73-97 (75.3) from the foul line. Opponents have made 146-337 (43.3) from the field, 39-109 (35.8) from three and 103-141 (73) from the foul line. Tristan Jarrett leads the way averaging 17.8 points per game and Jayveous McKinnis is at 13.8 points per game. McKinnis averages a double-double with 10.6 rebounds per game. Jarrett has a team-best 15 steals.
Grambling State is 3-5 overall and 1-0 in SWAC play having won last time out at Alabama State with a 66-49 win on Jan. 2. Their game on Jan. 4 at Alabama A&M was postponed. As a team, the Tigers have made 175-419 (41.8) from the field, 41-128 (32) from three and 104-152 (68.4) from the foul line. Opponents have made 178-481 (37) from the field, 63-186 (33.9) from three and 128-192 (66.7) from the foul line. Cameron Christon leads the team averaging 13.4 points per game, while Cameron Woodall is at 10.1 points per game. Trevell Cunningham leads the way in rebounding at 5.4 per game and has a team-high 43 assists. Brian Thomas has sent back 10 blocks.
Last year, the teams split the meetings with each winning on their home floors. In the first meeting in Lorman, Alcorn rolled to the 87-69 victory and then Grambling State came back with the 80-71 on their home floor. Alcorn and Grambling State will tip at 7:30 p.m. Monday night.
