ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. ­— Chris Clemons scored 36 points and Andrew Eudy added 16 as Campbell held off a late run and defeated Alabama State 70-69 in men’s basketball Saturday afternoon in the St. Pete Shootout.

Clemons recorded six points over his season average on 14-26 (.538) shooting with five steals over all 40 minutes of action while Eudy knocked down 7-10 (.700) shots from the field and added eight rebounds.

Jacoby Ross (25) and Reginald Gee (24) combined for 49 points for Alabama State (2-9). Gee was 10-13 (.769) from the field and 3-6 (.500) from beyond the arc.

Campbell (6-6) grabbed its largest lead of the game, 66-49, at the 6:40 mark in the second half before Alabama State went on a 17-2 to run to end the contest. The Hornets got to within three with 1:50 to play.

Clemons answered with a pull-up jumper from the elbow to end the nearly five minute scoring drought and push the Campbell lead back up to 70-65.

Gee responded with a quick three to pull the Hornets back to within two. After a stop and a Campbell foul, Gee hit one of two free throws to pull within one, 70-69.

After a timeout Clemons took the inbound pass and slashed to the bucket but missed the lay up amongst a crowd of defenders. Ross heaved a half-court shot and Branden Johnson could not get a tip-in to go as time expired.

Alabama State grabbed an early seven point advantage, 15-8, with 13:46 left in the opening half before Campbell reeled off a 21-5 run to go up by its largest margin of the first half, 33-24. The Hornets answered with a 6-0 flurry to end the half but could never regain the lead.

Campbell’s active hands on the defensive end paired with Clemons five steals resulted in 17 Alabama State turnovers which were converted into 21 points.

With Cory Gensler out with injury for the second straight day, Trey Spencer pitched in eight points on 3-6 (.500) shooting including two three pointers and Jordan Whitfield came off the bench and added six points in 29 minutes of action.

Clemons was named to the St. Pete Shootout All-Tournament team for his efforts after averaging 34 points over the two-game stretch. The senior from Raleigh broke the Big South Conference all-time scoring record in Friday’s matchup against Austin Peay where he netted 30 points.

Campbell visits Miami on Saturday, Dec. 29, for a 4 p.m. tipoff.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)