Box Score / Trant Simpson scored a game-high 28 points in A&M's first round loss to conference foe Alabama State. The Hornets were up 61-45 with 4:16 left in regulation, but the Bulldogs used an 11-4 run to slice into the advantage to bring it to within nine, 65-56, at the 1:36 mark. ASU pushed the spread back to double digits, and A&M cut the margin back down to nine, 67-58, but were unable to get over the hump. The Bulldogs end the 2008-09 campaign with an 8-19 overall record.

Jonathan Belt finished with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. Cornelius Hester had 10 points and five boards for the Bulldogs. As a team, A&M converted 19-of-60 hoops for the game for a 31.7 clip.

In the first half, the Hornets started the contest with a 6-0 run, capped by an Andrew Hales basket. A free throw by Belt at the 17:52 mark put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. ASU pushed the margin to as many as 22, 32-10, with just over five minutes remaining in the half. The Hornest took a 36-17 advantage heading into the lockerroom.

For the game, Hayles led Alabama State with 23 points. Brandon Brooks tallied 15 points and five rebounds. Rashad Provitt recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. The Hornets await the winner of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Southern.