JACKSON – Senior Chris Howell scored a team-high 10 points and grabbed three rebounds as Alabama State edged Jackson State 58-49 Tuesday evening the first round of the SWAC tournament.
 
Alabama State improved to 12-18 overall, while the Tigers completed their season with a 13-19 record.
 
Junior Venjie Wallis added nine points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field. The 6-foot-7 guard also handed out four assists and recorded one block. Sophomore Lemmie Howard added eight points and was 5-of-6 at the free-throw line.
 
Jackson native Dontelius Ross scored six points and recorded a pair of steals.
 
Freshman Jayveous McKinnis finished with a game-high 14 rebounds and helped out with six points.
 
As a team, JSU shot 32 percent (15-of-47) from the field. The Tigers forced the Hornets into 16 turnovers, which resulted in 18 points.