Alabama State seeks redemption after road struggles against Ole Miss

Alabama State, with a record of 2-4, faced off against No. 18 Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi on Saturday at 3 p.m. EST. This game was significant for Alabama State as they entered the matchup on a three-game road losing streak, which highlights their struggles in away games this season. In contrast, Ole Miss was performing better, boasting a 4-2 overall record and an unbeaten record at home with two victories. The Rebels have been a formidable opponent, averaging 76.5 points per game and significantly outscoring their opponents by an average of 25.5 points. This scoring efficiency made Alabama State’s task even more daunting as they aimed to halt their losing streak. In terms of sports statistics, Alabama State had failed to secure a win in their two road games prior to this matchup and showed vulnerability in high-pressure situations, recording a disappointing 1-4 record in games decided by ten points or more. This indicated a deeper issue with their performance, particularly under challenging conditions such as playing away from their home stadium. Alabama State was lacking in offensive efficiency, reflected in their shooting percentage of 30.6% from the field, which was notably lower than the 36.5% allowed by Ole Miss. This marked a crucial factor in their game strategy against the Rebels, who are known for their offensive prowess. Once the game commenced, Alabama State particularly needed to address their defensive strategies against Ole Miss’s successful long-range shooting. The Rebels typically made an average of 6.7 three-pointers per game, which posed a threat due to the Hornets surrendering an average of 9.0 shots from beyond the arc to their opponents. Hence, Alabama State’s defensive efforts would be tested in this regard as they had to confront a team that could effectively exploit their vulnerabilities. With players like Kirsten Deans leading Ole Miss, averaging 13.8 points while shooting 41.3%, the Hornets were expected to contend with potent offensive players. On the other hand, Alabama State would rely on Cordasia Harris, who had been one of their standout performers, averaging 10.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. This matchup represented a critical point in the season for the Hornets, as they needed to not only improve their overall record but also gain confidence heading deeper into their schedule, especially after enduring a rough stretch in away games.