LORMAN, Miss. – The Alcorn State University women's basketball program outscored Grambing State University 28-16 in points off turnovers but fell in a close 67-63 game Monday evening at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
Alcorn (7-15, 7-4 SWAC) was led by junior
Tia Sanders' 18 and senior
Brianna Luton's 14. Junior
Miracle Rushing added nine rebounds including five on the offensive end.
Grambling (10-12, 8-3 SWAC) was spearheaded by Monisha Neal's 14 points and Shakyla Hill's double double (13 points, 10 rebounds). Hill was two assists short of a triple-double.
The Lady Braves opened by scoring 12 of the first 16 points including seven from Luton. Sanders later sparked a seven-point run with a trey before the Lady Tigers closed on a 9-2 run to make the score 21-15 in Alcorn's favor after one quarter of play. Â Alcorn forced eight turnovers in the opening stanza.
The second frame was highlighted by some key defensive plays from freshmen
Jada Hargrove and
Aysha Kirkland. With senior
Henrietta Wells and junior
Alexus Freeman combining for just three minutes in the quarter, the two newcomers recorded three steals that resulted in six points. The Lady Braves held a 35-32 edge at the break.
The contest then came to a 50-point deadlock after three quarters of play.
Sanders knocked down a key three, and senior
Talisa Sherman converted on a jumper in the paint to bring the score to 58 apiece at the final media timeout with 4:34 to go.
With the Lady Braves down 62-60, Freeman snatched an offensive rebound and then converted on a layup. She was fouled in the process and successfully completed the and-one to put Alcorn ahead 63-62 with 1:41 left to play.
A foul on the other end resulted in two GSU free throws and a one-point deficit for the Lady Braves. Alcorn had a few empty possessions and the Lady Tigers sank two more free throws to go ahead 66-63 with 43 seconds left.
The Lady Braves then had two three-point attempts that were blocked. Hill was fouled and missed two free throws before Spann was fouled and sent to the line. She was unable to convert either, and Grambling ultimately sank one at the charity stripe to seal the game. Â Â
Alcorn heads to Itta Bena to face Mississippi Valley State Saturday at 3 p.m. inside the R.W. Harrison Complex.
NOTES
- The game marked Sanders' 17th and Luton's 10th double-figure outing of the season.
- The Lady Braves outrebounded the Lady Tigers 34-29 including 16-6 offensively.
- Alcorn held a slight 14-12 edge in fast-break points.
#FearTheBrave
Â
