The Alabama State Hornets men’s basketball team pulled off a comeback victory to defeat the Alcorn State University Braves, 55-53, on Jan. 13 at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The Hornets ended a seven game losing streak to the Braves that dates all the way back to 2019.

Hornets’ leading scorer T.J. Maddlock led the team with 14 points and five rebounds. He scored his 1,000th point midway through the second half. Isaiah Range added on 12 points, while Sean Smith scored 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Braves’ forward Jeremiah Kendall had 19 points and seven rebounds. He was followed by shooting guard Jeremiah Gambrell who had 14 points.

The Hornets grabbed an 11-2 advantage to start off the game. Hornets’ forward Eric Coleman was fouled by Braves forward Michael Pajeaud for the and-one basket.

The Braves went on a 8-2 run to take the lead, 21-13, with 10 minutes left in the first half. Hornets’ guard Amarr Knox hit a spinning layup for two points to narrow the Braves lead heading into halftime.

The Hornets trailed 20-29 at the halftime break. Coming out of the break, the Hornet defense tightened up.

Smith hit one of two free throws to help the Hornets regain the lead, 51-47. Range followed it up with a three-pointer.

With a few seconds left in the game, Smith blocked Braves’ point guard Bryon Joshua’s three-point attempt to seal the Hornets victory.