The Alcorn State University Lady Braves (9-11, 5-3) competed against the Alabama State University Lady Hornets (5-13, 2-5) at 5:30 pm at the Davey L. Whitney Complex on Monday, January 27th.
The Lady Braves’ defense has been a number one factor in their success in this Conference season. Coming out with high defensive intensity, Alcorn caused several turnovers to gain the momentum of the game early. Though Alcorn had the momentum, the scoreboard reflected otherwise. Beginning in the first quarter, the Lady Hornets led 5-0. Alcorn kept its poise after a slow offensive start and finished the quarter leading 15-14. Only down by one point entering the second quarter, Alabama State fought back scoring 9 points in the second half but not hard enough as Alcorn scored 12 points in the second quarter to lead at the half 27-23.
Coming back from the half, the Lady Braves were all business. Alcorn looked good from the 3 point line as they stretched the lead to 38-29, but Alabama State began to ferociously battle back. Alcorn’s defensive press kept them alive as they entered into the fourth quarter leading 52-43. Though Alabama scored 20 to Alcorn’s 21 points in the fourth quarter it wasn’t enough as the Lady Braves kept their foot on the gas play after play, defensive stop after defensive stop. Alcorn won the game by a final score of 73-63 in front of their home crowd.
For Alcorn, Junior Kirdis Clark, who was named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Player of the Week last week, led with 18 points, playing 35 minutes. Following Clark was Freshman, Tyginae Wright with 14 points and Senior, Charisma Walker with 11 points. On Alabama’s team, they had three players in double digits as Aniyah Smith had 18 points, Jayla Crawford had 16 points and Ayana Emmanuel scored 12 points.
The Lady Braves will be back in action looking to improve their Conference record on Saturday, February 1st at 3:00 pm as they head to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to face off against Southern University (8-11, 6-2) in the F.G. Clark Activity Center (Mini Dome).