LORMAN, Miss - The Alcorn State University women's basketball program recorded its highest team scoring output of the season, as three players contributed double digits during Tuesday night's 70-66 defeat to Jacksonville State University at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
"I was impressed with the tempo that our team imposed on Jacksonville State," said head coach Courtney Pruitt. "Our team played a great ballgame and just fell short in those two categories (layups and free throws) … I am very proud of the job they did tonight. The girls really fought hard, and I think we have something to look forward to and actually work with in conference play."
Junior Alexus Freeman fronted the Lady Braves (0-8) with a career-high 15 points and five steals in addition to five boards. Fellow Junior Tia Sanders added 14 points to go along with five takeaways. Junior Miracle Rushing rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12.
Alcorn's full-court pressure created havoc on the Gamecocks (5-4), recording 16 steals on 28 turnovers, both season highs.
After an elongated first quarter that saw 17 personal fouls and a four-point Lady Braves deficit, The Lady Braves commenced the second period with five straight points behind a Sanders jumper and Brianna Luton three-pointer to take a one-point lead.
The advantage changed six times in the second stanza that ultimately ended in a 34-33 halftime score in favor of JSU.
The lead grew to as much as five after two Tasha Magruder free throws made the score 45-40 with 5:18 remaining in the third. Alcorn then stormed back with a 12-7 run to enter the fourth quarter down by just two.
Luton knocked down two free throws with 2:13 left in the contest to give Alcorn a 66-63 edge. Gamecocks guard Lacey Buchanon responded with a jumper before teammate Briana Benson, who finished with a game-high 21 points, drained a critical three-pointer with 50 seconds to play that catapulted JSU ahead 68-66.
The Lady Braves missed their last three shot attempts which allowed the Gamecocks to eke out a victory.
Alcorn will continue its challenging pre-SWAC slate by taking on two Power 5 teams on the road. The Lady Braves face Texas Tech Sunday at 3 p.m. and TCU Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
NOTES
- The lead changed 13 times and the score tied 10 times in the contest
- The two teams had the same amount of points in the paint (28) and fast break points (8)
- Alcorn held a 12-11 advantage in bench points
- The Lady Braves converted 1-of-11 threes after averaging 5.3 up to this point in the season
- The last time an Alcorn student-athlete recorded 5+ steals was Feb. 15, 2016, when Norianna Haynes achieved the feat against Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Alexus Freeman earned 7 of her 15 points via the charity stripe
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