March 12, 2011

Boxscore

GARLAND, Texas – Alabama State (ASU) defeated Grambling State 65-48 at the Special Events Center in the 2011 Farmers Insurance Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship. The victory gave Lewis Jackson his second conference tournament crown in his six years as head coach. It was the school’s fourth championship title.

ASU led 10-4 at the 15 minute mark in the first half. GSU responded with a pair of layups from Justin Patton and Donald Qualls tying the game at 10 apiece. Qualls scored 35 points the night prior in the semi-finals against Jackson State. He finished with only 12 points on the night to lead the Tigers.

Grambling’s first lead came off of a Peter Robinson jump hook to make the score 22-20, with just under seven minutes to play before halftime. GSU later took a 26-20 lead on four free-throws from Qualls.

A jump-shot by Tramaine Butler, who scored 13 points, then a steal and a layup by Ivory White cut Grambling’s lead down to two points at 26-24 with 4:05 left in the first half. Kenderek Washington made a baseline jumper out of the last media timeout making the score 28-26 and for the first time all week, ASU trailed at the half.

Alabama State came out of halftime on a 14-2 run taking a commanding 40-30 lead. ASU outscored GSU 30-6 through the first 17 minutes of the second half. The Hornets made four treys during that run and never looked back. ASU’s biggest lead was by 22 points with 5:31 left.

“This was a heartfelt game, very tough game and both teams played hard,” Alabama State coach Lewis Jackson said. The first half we came out a little slow. The guys really stepped it up and put pressure on the guards in the second half and we were able to come out with a victory.”

Tremayne Moorer locked up the tournament’s MVP scoring 14 points along with eight rebounds. Washington was also selected to the all-tournament team. He scored eight points and pulled down eight rebounds. Butler finished with 13 points and six boards for ASU.

Alabama State will await its fate Sunday night for the NCAA Tournament selection process.

 2011 Farmers Insurance SWAC All-Tournament Team

MVP -- Tremayne Moorer, Alabama State

• Kendereck Washington, Alabama State
• Donald Qualls, Grambling State
• Grant Maxey, Jackson State
• Harrison Smith, Texas Southern