For the first time all season, the Alcorn State Braves have won back-to-back games.

The Braves beat Mississippi Valley State, 61-60 on Jan. 13, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 61-57 on Jan. 15.

“It’s a great feeling,” head coach Sam West said. “It gives you a boost of confidence, and shows that if you buy into a system, and do what you are supposed to do, it pays off.”

West attributes his team’s recent success with better execution, and the Braves playing better team basketball. He also commended his team for stepping up their efforts on the defensive side of the ball.

“If we execute well, good things will happen. And that’s not just me talking, that’s the players talking as well,” he said.

Having won two straight conference games, West said that lets him know his team is capable of playing with any team in the SWAC conference.

He said it also ups the pressure as the Braves leave to start a two-game road trip today.

Alcorn State will face Alabama A&M in Huntsville on Saturday, and will then face Alabama State on Monday in Montgomery.

“If we execute like we are suppose to do, play good defense and rebound well on both sides of the ball, then we will be alright,” said West.

Currently the Braves are in fifth place in the SWAC men’s basketball standings with a 3-3 conference record.Overall the Braves are 4-13, and are 0-8 on the road this season. Six of the road losses were to non-conference opponents.

The Braves are third in the SWAC for scoring offense and also third in the SWAC for field goal percentages.

West said with the latter half of schedule remaining, he thinks his team has a strong chance of getting into the mix for the top spot in the SWAC if his team can get some wins on the road.

“If we win our games at home and at least split our games on the road, we will be fine,” he said.