BATON ROUGE, LA – Alcorn State women's basketball earned a thrilling 59-55 overtime victory over Southern University in a SWAC showdown on Saturday afternoon at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. The win not only marked a crucial conference victory for the Lady Braves but also a historic milestone as senior forward
Destiny Brown scored her 1,000th career point.
Brown led Alcorn with 13 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks, reaching her milestone with a pair of clutch free throws in the second half.
Zy'Nyia White added 12 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, while Nakia Cheathman had a dominant performance on the boards, securing a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with seven points. The Lady Braves overcame a tough shooting night with relentless defense and clutch play down the stretch.
The game saw 10 ties and 12 lead changes, but Alcorn's composure in overtime proved to be the difference, as the Lady Braves outscored Southern 9-5 in the extra frame to secure the win.
GAME RECAP
First Quarter – Southern 11, Alcorn 10
- Alcorn got off to a slow offensive start, shooting just 25% in the opening period.
- White and Cheathman each hit key free throws to keep the Lady Braves within one at the end of the quarter.
- Southern's defense forced early turnovers, but Alcorn's rebounding advantage kept the game close.
Second Quarter – Alcorn 23, Southern 22
- The Lady Braves took their first lead of the game as Henderson converted a fast-break layup off a steal.
- Brown reached her 1,000th career point at the free-throw line, sparking a late-quarter run.
- Alcorn's defense held Southern to just 27.8% shooting in the quarter to take a slim lead into halftime.
Third Quarter – Southern 38, Alcorn 36
- Southern regained control with a 16-point third quarter, fueled by their strong interior presence.
- White continued to pace Alcorn offensively, scoring four points in the period.
- Despite a tough shooting quarter, Alcorn stayed within striking distance, trailing by just two heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter – Alcorn 50, Southern 50
- Alcorn battled back with clutch free-throw shooting, going 8-for-8 from the line in the fourth quarter.
- Cheathman came up big on the glass, securing defensive rebounds to limit second-chance opportunities for Southern.
- Brown's defensive presence helped force overtime, as she blocked a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds.
Overtime – Alcorn 59, Southern 55
- The Lady Braves took control early in overtime with a quick jumper from White.
- Brown and Backus sealed the game at the free-throw line, going a combined 5-for-5 in the extra period.
- Southern managed just one field goal in overtime, as Alcorn's defense shut down their offensive attack to secure the win.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 1,000 – Destiny Brown reached 1,000 career points, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.
- 13 – Nakia Cheathman grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds while adding seven points.
- 27 – Alcorn's bench provided a crucial spark, scoring 27 points.
- 75.9% – The Lady Braves went 22-of-29 from the free-throw line, including a perfect 5-for-5 in overtime.
UP NEXT
The Lady Braves (6-14, 4-5 SWAC) will return home to face Mississippi Valley State on Thursday, February 6. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CST at the Davey L. Whitney Health & Physical Education Complex.
For all Alcorn State Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BravesSports), Instagram (@AlcornSports) and YouTube (Alcorn State Sports).
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