OXFORD, Miss. — Alcorn State women's basketball went toe-to-toe with Ole Miss for much of the afternoon before a decisive third-quarter run lifted the Rebels to a 64–44 victory Sunday at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion.
The Lady Braves showed early composure on the road, trading baskets throughout the opening quarter and staying within striking distance at 19–17 after one. Alcorn continued its strong play into the second quarter, outscoring Ole Miss 13–9 to take a 30–28 lead into halftime, highlighted by efficient shooting and steady ball movement.
Nakia Cheatham led the way for Alcorn, finishing with a team-high 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers. Cheatham also added six rebounds and three steals in a strong all-around performance. Kiarra Henderson chipped in five points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Lauren Nelson added five points and four rebounds. Jazlyn Johnson provided a spark off the bench with five points, including a timely three-pointer in the second quarter.
Ole Miss seized control in the third quarter, opening the half with an 18–5 run that shifted momentum. Alcorn struggled to find its offensive rhythm during the stretch, shooting 2-of-12 in the period as the Rebels extended their lead to 48–35 entering the fourth. Despite the setback, the Lady Braves continued to battle, matching Ole Miss with nine points in the final quarter.
Alcorn finished the game shooting 31.5 percent from the field and an efficient 50 percent from beyond the arc, while forcing 12 Ole Miss turnovers. The Lady Braves also stayed competitive on the glass, pulling down 31 rebounds and limiting second-chance opportunities early in the contest.
The Lady Braves now turn their attention to Southwestern Athletic Conference play, traveling to Jackson State for their conference opener. The matchup will mark the beginning of the SWAC schedule as Alcorn looks to carry its early-season lessons into league competition.
