Alcorn State struggled out of the gate, but once the Braves got going, they couldn’t be contained.

Alcorn was held scoreless the opening four minutes before exploding for 38 first-half points en route to an 82-64 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday.

“It’s always hard to prepare for a team that plays 100-percent zone night in, night out,” ASU coach Montez Robinson said. “You’re used to teams going back and forth and switching things up, so it took us a little while to get into rhythm and find the open scoring gaps.”

Reginal Johnson scored 16 points to lead four Braves in double-figures. Point guard A.J. Mosby had a strong all-around effort with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

“I’m just focused on getting everybody involved, playing and being aggressive,” Mosby said.

The win for ASU (6-11, 3-3) continues what has been a topsy-turvy start in SWAC play as the Braves have alternated wins and losses through their opening six conference games.

Perhaps the lone thing that could slow Alcorn down Monday was itself as the Braves committed 25 turnovers, allowing the Golden Eagles to remain within single digits for most of the second half. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4-15, 3-2) committed 19 turnovers.

“Twenty-five turnovers is too many,” Robinson said. “Our point guards had three and four turnovers between them, and you can’t have that.”

Alcorn limited UAPB to just 39.3 percent shooting, including 3 of 18 from 3. The Braves also dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Golden Lions 44-27.

“Defensively, we played a solid game,” Robinson said. “We stuck to the game plan, and we knew where the shooters were, and we just made everything tough for them. … (Rebounding) is our bread and butter. We rebound well, and the last couple of games, we haven’t rebounded like we’re capable of.”

The Braves shot 53.7 percent for the game and led 38-29 at halftime.

“When we into halftime, Coach (Robinson) told us to keep shooting the ball and keep being aggressive, and that’s what we did,” Mosby said. “The shots fell. It comes down to defense in the SWAC. We have to continue to lock up and play defense.”

DeAndre Davis had 15 points and Marquis Vance chipped in with 11 for ASU. Davis also had seven rebounds in 28 minutes in his sixth game back from an early-season injury.

“It’s always nice to have our big man back,” Mosby said. “He still has to get into basketball shape, but he’s coming along well.”

Trent Steen led UAPB with 17 points, and Deshon Bayless had 14.

Alcorn will attempt to keep the momentum going with a two-game road trip beginning Saturday at Alabama State.

“We just have to play solid and play within ourselves,” Robinson said. “We have to take care of the ball, rebound the ball and make it tough for the other team. If we do those things, I think we’ll give ourselves a good chance at winning some ball games.”