LORMAN, Miss. – Despite a game-high 28 points from
Destiny Brown, Alcorn suffered a late 93-91 setback in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Basketball action Monday afternoon to Alabama State inside the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
With Alcorn (4-10, 0-3 SWAC) 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 (6-9, 3-1) 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.
A "Lone Star State" road trip ensues for the Purple and Gold as Women's Basketball travels to Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M, respectively. The Braves tip-off against Texas Southern on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 3 p.m., in Houston. They then travel to Prairie View A&M for a Monday contest against the Panthers on Jan. 16, at 4 p.m.
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