Braves Drop SWAC Opener to Jackson State

LORMAN, Miss. – Alcorn's Tyginae Wright led her side with 15 points Monday afternoon as the Braves fell to visiting Jackson State, 59-49 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opening game for both teams at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
 
With Jackson State (4-7, 1-0 SWAC) leading 33-19 at the half, Alcorn outscored the visitors in each of the third and fourth quarters, respectfully.
 
Tyginae Wright's three-pointer two minutes into the second half cut into the deficit, followed by a pair of Zy'Nyia White free throws to bring Alcorn (4-8, 0-1 SWAC) within 35-24. T'Naye Griffin successfully converted on both of her free throw attempts after the media timeout, before JSU used seven consecutive points at the foul line (three coming from Liz Martino) to push the Tigers' lead back out to a 43-26 advantage.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Braves finally got the deficit under 10 points when Wright's three-pointer from the elbow was followed by Ashanti Backus' basket from long range to bring Alcorn to within 56-49 with 2:15 remaining in the game.
 
But it would be Jariyah Covington converting two of her game-high 10 free throws made in the game to put the game out of reach. She completed the game shooting 10-of-12 at the charity stripe.
 
In all, Jackson State shot 27-of-40 from the foul line for a 67.5 percent performance. Meanwhile, Alcorn finished just 12-of-28 at the charity stripe, connecting on 42.9 percent of its shots.
 
JSU opened the game with a quick four-point lead before Destiny Brown sunk back-to-back baskets for the Purple and Gold. That was combined with a Wright three-pointer – one of her game-high five on the afternoon, to give the Braves their first lead of the game at 7-6.
 
A White jumper just outside the paint gave Alcorn a 10-9 advantage. However, it would be the last lead of the game for the Purple and Gold as Covington went coast-to-coast on a layup to put the visitors back up moments later.
 
JSU would lead 19-11 after the opening quarter with the Tigers recording a 61.5 percent clip from the field against the Braves' 25 percent shooting touch in the period.
 
Jackson State was led on the day by Covington with 17 points and three assists. Angel Jackson and Ti'lan Boler each supplied nine points for the Tigers.
 
Wright led the Braves with 15 points – all of them coming from beyond the arc. White added nine points and two steals. Meanwhile, it was Kiarra Henderson supplying the Braves with seven points and six rebounds in a losing effort.
 
Alcorn gets back to action Saturday, Jan. 7, when the Braves welcome Alabama A&M to the Davey L. Whitney Complex for a SWAC contest beginning at 2 p.m.
 
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