Braves Look to End SWAC Skid

HOUSTON – Alcorn Women's Basketball heads to the "Lone Star State" this weekend, as the Braves travel to Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) foe Texas Southern for the first of two games in Texas, beginning with the Tigers in Houston on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 3 p.m. The Braves will be looking to end a six-game losing skid heading into the matchup.
 
What: Game Fifteen
Who: Alcorn (4-10, 0-3 SWAC) at Texas Southern (1-14, 1-3 SWAC)
When: Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, at 3 p.m. CT
Where: Houston, Texas – Health & Physical Education Arena (8,100)
 
Watch: TXSO YouTube
Listen: WPRL 91.7 FM (PXP – Charles Edmond)
Attend: Online Ticket Sales
Stats: Click Here
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Keep up with everything Alcorn Women's Basketball this year by following the Braves social media platforms. You can follow @AlcornSports on Instagram and @BravesSports on Twitter.

SERIES VS. TEXAS SOUTHERN
Alcorn has dominated the all-time series against the Texas Southern Tigers, with the Purple and Gold holding a sizeable 55-28 advantage in a series that dates back to the 1982-83 season. However, the Tigers have claimed the last six meetings in the series, respectfully. The last win for the Braves over Texas Southern came by way of a 53-52 decision at the Davey L. Whitney Complex on January 5, 2019.
 
LAST TIME OUT AGAINST THE TIGERS
The Alcorn State women's basketball team concluded regular-season road play at Texas Southern, falling 62-55 to the Tigers inside the H&PE Arena. Three Braves carried the offense to score in the double-figures during the effort. Tyginae Wright and Maya Claytor had 12 points each, and Kailyn Watkins added 11. Wright also led Alcorn with eight rebounds, and LaRae Rascoe led the team with three assists.
 
As a squad, the Braves hit 21 of their 58 (36.2 percent), including five of 22 (22.7 percent) from beyond the arc. Alcorn then added eight points on 12 (66.7 percent) attempts at the line. Texas Southern landed 21 of 49 (42.9 percent) from the floor, with 6 of 16 (37.5 percent) in three-point range. At the free-throw line, the Tigers made 14 of their 19 (73.7 percent) shots.
 
Ataiya Bridges scored 18 points for TSU, and Andriana Avent had 16. Jada Perry led the team in rebounds to bring down a game-high of nine. Texas Southern opened the game with a 5-0 lead, hitting a three-pointer just seconds after tipoff. Watkins scored the first points for the Braves on a layup to cut the Tigers lead to 5-2.
 
Texas Southern maintained the lead for the remainder of the game despite a four-quarter rally by Alcorn. Starting the period behind 56-35, The Braves went on a 20-6 run to end the game. It was not enough, and the Tiger took the 62-55 victory.
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE ALCORN
Despite a game-high 28 points from Destiny Brown, Alcorn suffered a late 93-91 setback in Southwestern Athletic Conference Women's Basketball action to Alabama State inside the Davey L. Whitney Complex. With Alcorn leading 89-88 with 55 seconds remaining in the contest, Alabama State used four free throws down the stretch from Ayana Emmanuel to claim a 92-89 advantage with five seconds left on the clock. Cayla Obillo answered with a pair of free throws of her own seconds later for the Braves to make it, 92-91. But the Hornets' DaKiyah Sanders would toe the line and connect on one-of-two from the charity stripe in order to push the Alabama State lead to 93-91 with Alcorn holding one last chance to tie or win. However, Obillo's three-pointer at the buzzer fell short, and the Hornets escaped with the win.
 
There would be nothing to separate the two sides after the opening quarter, with the Braves using a quick 15-6 run to start, powered by Destiny Brown's eight (8) first quarter points. Zy'Nyia White scored five in the opening period for the Purple and Gold as well. Alabama State answered with a big run on the strength of Shmya Ward and Emmanuel combining for 15 first quarter points to knot the score at 20-all at the close of the period. The visiting Hornets would step in front at the half, 44-39.
 
It would be Samiya Steele adding eight points in the second quarter for the Hornets, while Brown kept the Purple and Gold in it with eight additional points of her own. Jayla Crawford picked up three big buckets in the paint for the Hornets down the stretch, allowing the visitors the lead at the break. In the third, Alcorn outscored the Hornets, 30-20, putting the Braves in front heading into the final period.
 
After the Braves fell behind, 50-39, Brown and White put in back-to-back baskets to pull their side to within 50-43. Although the Hornets would push the deficit back to double-figures with Jayla Crawford's three-pointer on the wing, making it 55-45 with 6:48 remaining in the third. A big Braves run would ensue as Brown and De'Asia Reid brought the Braves to within 55-53 following the Bethune-Cookman transfer's layup with 4:13 remaining.
 
Alcorn would take its first lead of the second half as Kailyn Watkins put in a fast break layup off the bench, followed by Kiarra Henderson's fast break off a Hornets turnover, allowing the Purple and Gold a 60-57 advantage. The Braves led 69-64 at the close of the third quarter following White's jumper from the elbow.
 
Alabama State was led by a pair of Hornets with 20-plus scoring performances – Shyma Ward (27) and Emmanuel (22). Crawford added 17 points and three assists, while teammate Cordasia Harris chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds. Alcorn was paced by Brown's 28-point, eight-rebound afternoon. White contributed with 16 points and three assists.
 
CATCH THE BRAVES LIVE AT THE WHITNEY IN 2022-23
Season Tickets for 2022-23 Alcorn Women's Basketball at the Davey L. Whitney Health and Physical Education Complex are now available for purchase at Alcornsports.MyImpactTickets.com/basketball. Season tickets for the home SWAC competitions are $76.25, while single-game admission is $12.65 in advance.

UP NEXT
Alcorn continues its "Lone Star State" road trip with a visit to Prairie View A&M on Monday, Jan. 16, at 4:30 p.m. The game is part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day basketball event around the nation.
 
Follow Alcorn State Women's Basketball on Twitter (@AlcornWBB) for all the latest news and updates. For all Alcorn State Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BravesSports), Instagram (@AlcornSports) and YouTube (Alcorn State Sports).