JACKSON, Miss./GRAMBLING, La. – It was a strong start to the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule for the Alcorn State University women's basketball team as they took their conference opener over Prairie View A&M, 55-48, this past Monday inside the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
Deja Mitchell and Kirdis Clark combined for 35 points to lead the way for Alcorn (1-4, 1-0 SWAC). Mitchell went for a game-high 19 points which was also a season-high. She also added a team-high seven rebounds. Clark added 16 points and a team-high six assists, along with six rebounds. The defense forced 25 turnovers which led to a 24-9 advantage on points off turnovers. It was the third straight win in the series for the Lady Braves and was the first win for new head coach Nathaniel Kilbert.
As a team, Alcorn is shooting 106-287 (36.9) from the field, 20-77 (26) from three and 51-83 (61.4) from the foul line. Opponents have connected on 145-276 (52.5) from the field, 42-82 (51.2) and 56-86 (65.1) from the foul line. Five players are averaging at least six points per game led by Clark's 13.2 points per game, Mitchell adds 9.4 points, Cayla Obillo at 8.2 points, Diamond Hall at 7.5 points and Aysha Kirkland at 6.4 points. Mitchell leads the team in rebounding at 5 per game, Clark leads in assists with 17, steals with 14 and blocks with two.
Rankings in the SWAC has Alcorn fifth in field goal percentage, fifth in three-point field goals made per game (4.0), fifth in both turnover margin (1.20) and assist-to-turnover ratio (0.68), fourth in assists per game (12.20) and second in steals per game (11.40). Individually, Clark ranks seventh in field goal percentage (37.1), fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4) and sixth in assists per game (3.4). Obillo is seventh in assists per game (3.0) and eighth in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.9). Clark is third in steals per game (2.8) and Obillo is fifth (2.2). Clark is 10th in minutes per game (31.6).
Alcorn will open the week on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at defending SWAC regular season champion Jackson State. The Lady Tigers are 2-5 overall and 1-1 in SWAC play after defeating Alabama A&M (64-56) and falling at Alabama State (70-72). The Lady Tigers have connected on 153-387 (39.5) from the field, 28-86 (32.6) from three and 122-176 (69.3) at the foul line. Opponents have made 177-453 (39.1) from the field, 51-144 (35.4) and 121-181 (66.9) from the foul line. A trio of players average in double-figures led by Dayzsha Rogan's 17.9 points per game. Ameshya Williams adds 17.0 points and Jariyah Covington at 12.0 points. Williams is averaging a double-double with 12.4 rebounds per game and adds 23 blocks.
Last year, Jackson State swept the season series over Alcorn winning the first game in Lorman, 83-67, and the second meeting was closer in Jackson with the Lady Tigers taking the 76-66 victory.
To finish the road trip, Alcorn will travel to face Grambling State on Monday starting at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Tigers are 1-3 overall and haven't played since Dec. 13 due to COVID-19 when they lost at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, 62-70. Grambling State picked up their first win of the season at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, 66-42. As a team, the Lady Tigers have made 82-233 (35.2) from the field, 21-73 (28.8) from three and 59-89 (66.3) from the foul line. Opponents have made 89-220 (40.5) from the field, 23-69 (33.3) from three and 80-116 (69) from the foul line. Individually, Alexus Holt leads the way at 12.3 points per game, followed by Candice Parramore at 10.5 points and Ariel Williams at 9.3 points. DeAndre'a Alexander leads the way with 5.5 rebounds per game and Parramore adds eight steals.
Early on in the SWAC portion of the schedule, Alabama State, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alcorn and Southern are all 1-0. Jackson State has the other win so far in league play and sit at 1-1.
