Kenderek Washington scored a career-high 19 points and Alabama State surged into the lead midway through the second half en route to its first win of the season, 60-57 over Florida International on Saturday night.
The Hornets (1-5), who trailed by 10 with 53 seconds left in the first half, took their first lead at 37-35 on a Jonathan Jefferson layup with 11:16 to go. That sparked a 13-5 run and a 48-40 lead with 7:38 left.
The game was tied three more times, the last at 55 with 2:13 to go following two free throws by DeJuan Wright, who led FIU (2-5) with a career-high 26 points.
After Washington's 3-pointer with 41 seconds left, the Panthers' Dominique Ferguson made a layup with 18 seconds to go, then missed the ensuing free throw.
Ivory White hit two foul shots for the Hornets, and FIU missed two 3-point attempts.
