The Hornets, led by ninth year head coach Lewis Jackson, played their home games at the Dunn–Oliver Acadome as members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

[1] Road games at Illinois and Bradley as part of the Global Sports Invitational, as well as participation in the Tulane Classic, highlighted the non-conference schedule.

Jamel Waters scored 27 points, nearly half of the Hornets' total (63), but a weak defensive effort by Alabama State allowed the Illini to shoot 44% from the floor and attempt 30 free throws.

Waters led the Hornets again with 14 points, but another poor defensive effort allowed the Braves to shoot 59% from the field while limiting Alabama State to just 38%, leading to an 85–59 victory for Bradley.

Alabama State hit several clutch free throws with 55 seconds left to hold off a 7–0 run by the Cougars to gain the win, 79–75, on the strength of DeMarcus Robinson's 24 points.