DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Alcorn State women's basketball battled throughout but fell 65-52 to Bethune-Cookman on Thursday evening at Moore Gymnasium. The Lady Braves kept the game close heading into the fourth quarter, but a late scoring surge by Bethune-Cookman proved to be the difference.
Sharmayne Finley led Alcorn with 11 points, shooting 5-of-10 from the field, while
Zy'Nyia White added 10 points and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Nakia Cheathman was active on the boards, pulling down a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with eight points. The Lady Braves forced 19 turnovers and recorded 10 steals but struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 20% (3-for-15).
Alcorn fought back after an early deficit, keeping pace with Bethune-Cookman in the second and third quarters. However, the Wildcats outscored the Lady Braves 19-12 in the final period to seal the victory.
GAME RECAP
First Quarter – Bethune-Cookman 16, Alcorn 10
- Alcorn got on the board early with back-to-back layups from White.
- Bethune-Cookman built an early lead, shooting 46.2% from the field in the opening period.
- The Lady Braves struggled from three-point range, missing all six of their attempts in the quarter.
Second Quarter – Bethune-Cookman 28, Alcorn 22
- Alcorn tightened up defensively, holding Bethune-Cookman to just four made field goals in the period.
- Cheathman controlled the glass, grabbing five rebounds in the quarter.
- White went 2-for-2 at the free-throw line late in the period to trim the deficit to six at halftime.
Third Quarter – Bethune-Cookman 46, Alcorn 40
- The Lady Braves found their offensive rhythm, shooting 90% (9-for-10) from the free-throw line in the period.
- Finley took over for Alcorn, scoring six points on mid-range jumpers.
- Bethune-Cookman remained efficient, hitting 50% of their shots in the third quarter to maintain their lead.
Fourth Quarter – Bethune-Cookman 65, Alcorn 52
- Alcorn made a push early in the fourth, cutting the deficit to five with a three-pointer from Maya Claytor.
- Bethune-Cookman responded with a 7-0 run to extend their lead to double digits.
- The Lady Braves struggled to get stops down the stretch, allowing the Wildcats to seal the game at the free-throw line.
BY THE NUMBERS
- 11 – Sharmayne Finley led Alcorn with 11 points, shooting 50% from the field.
- 10 – Nakia Cheathman grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.
- 19 – The Lady Braves forced 19 turnovers but were only able to convert them into 12 points.
- 20% – Alcorn struggled from deep, shooting just 3-for-15 from three-point range.
UP NEXT
The Lady Braves (8-16, 6-7 SWAC) remain on the road to take on Jackson State on Saturday, February 22. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CST.
