ESPN Men's Basketball

GRAMBLING La. -- Byron Walker scored 20 points and Alabama State defeated Grambling State 70-55 in the Southwestern Conference opener for both teams on Monday night.

The Hornets (4-8) shot 42.9 percent (15 of 35) and held the Tigers to 33.3 percent (9 of 27) in the first half for a 33-19 lead.

Tied at 19-19 with 3:43 left until halftime, Alabama State finished the first half with 14 unanswered points. Tramaine Butler finished the run on a 3-pointer with 38 seconds left for the halftime score.

Alabama State opened the second half on a 14-4 run for a 47-23 lead on a layup by Christopher Duncan with 15:14 remaining.

Butler finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, and Robert Sanders added eight rebounds for the Hornets, who won the battle of the boards 41-28.

Donald Qualls scored 24 points and Lance Fuertado finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Tigers.