As Alcorn State University’s Marquis Vance made his way back to the locker room following the Braves’ ninth consecutive win Saturday night, he looked up in the stands and gave a salute to a group of supporters holding a bouquet of balloons.

In that group were Vance’s parents, grandparents, and daughter, among other friends and family to support him on the Braves’ senior night.

Vance didn’t disappoint as he posted 27 points and came down with nine rebounds to lead Alcorn to a 75-67 victory over Alabama State.

“Everyone was here, and it means a lot to me,” Vance said. “My grandparents don’t get to see me play a lot. They found a way to come out and support me tonight, so I had to give them a little show.”

Alcorn came out strong and held an 11-2 lead after five minutes of play, but a 7-2 run by the Hornets midway through the first half kept the Braves on their toes.

Alabama State didn’t stop there, either, despite its 41-26 deficit at the half.

After the break, the Braves had trouble coming up with rebounds and allowed the Hornets to score 14 points within 4 minutes.

“They jumped out and put the pressure on us,” Alcorn coach Montez Robinson said. “We worked on it all week, and we thought we were ready for it, but you never know it’s going to be like that until you get in the game.”

The Hornets, who ended the night with 14 offensive rebounds, were able to rally and regain the lead midway through the period, 54-53.

After that, there were five additional lead changes and Robinson said the challenge was just what his team needed.

“We haven’t had that happen in a while,” he said. “It taught us that we can’t get complacent and to make sure we take care of the ball.”

Despite the back and forth nature, Vance sank a big 3-pointer with 2:46 remaining to put the Braves’ up by three possessions, 68-62.

“He’s been playing well down the stretch,” Robinson said. “Everyone saw that he had the hot-hand and rolled it to him. I think he’s been waiting for that for the last four years.”

Alongside Vance, Denzel Dulin and DeAndre Davis were also honored on senior night.

Dulin pitched in 11 points and Davis added six in the win.

“They’ve  carried us all season,” Robinson said. “I’m really pleased with the senior leadership the way they kept the guys calm and poised.”

Junior Reginal Johnson also hit double figures for the Braves, ending the night with 15 points.

Alcorn State (14-11, 11-3 in SWAC) will be back in action at 7 p.m. Monday against Alabama A&M at home.