Auburn, AL - Alcorn State women's basketball continued to show growth and competitiveness on Thursday night, battling through adversity before falling 62–50 to Auburn inside Neville Arena.
Facing an SEC opponent on the road, the Lady Braves weathered early pressure and remained composed despite Auburn's transition-heavy attack. Alcorn found its rhythm as the game progressed, particularly in the second half, where defensive adjustments and improved ball movement helped close the gap and produce a strong finish.
Nakia Cheatham paced Alcorn with 14 points, connecting on three three-pointers while also collecting seven rebounds and providing energy on both ends of the floor. Lauren Nelson delivered one of her most complete performances of the season, leading the team with 16 points to go along with five assists, attacking gaps in the defense and converting key baskets during Alcorn's late run. Kiarra Henderson filled the stat sheet with five points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Dalayja Hurt-Floyd chipped in six points and multiple steals, helping ignite fast-break opportunities.
After trailing by double digits at halftime, Alcorn responded with renewed intensity in the third quarter and continued to apply pressure defensively. The Lady Braves forced Auburn into 29 turnovers on the night, turning those miscues into scoring chances and keeping the contest competitive. Alcorn also controlled the second-chance battle, outscoring the Tigers 12–8 in that category, and finished with 31 total rebounds.
The fourth quarter showcased Alcorn's resilience and depth, as the Lady Braves outscored Auburn 17–6 over the final 10 minutes. Strong bench production played a key role, with Alcorn's reserves accounting for 29 points, providing a spark that cut into the deficit and demonstrated the team's depth and balance.
While the final score did not swing in Alcorn's favor, the performance reflected continued progress and toughness against high-level competition. The Lady Braves will look to build on that momentum as they return to action on Saturday, Dec. 28, traveling to Ole Miss for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
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