LORMAN, Miss. — Alcorn State women's basketball put together one of its most complete efforts of the season Saturday afternoon, using balance, defensive pressure, and interior toughness to secure a 66-51 victory over Texas Southern inside the Davey L. Whitney Complex. With the win, the Lady Braves improved to 7-9 overall and strengthened their position near the top of the SWAC standings at 4-1 in conference play.
The afternoon began with Texas Southern briefly striking first, but Alcorn State quickly settled in and established control. After an early deficit, the Lady Braves responded with a 10-4 run midway through the opening quarter, fueled by transition baskets and second-chance opportunities. Alcorn State closed the first period with a 19-12 advantage and carried that momentum into the second quarter.
Defense proved to be the difference as the game progressed. The Lady Braves forced 22 turnovers on the day, turning those miscues into 24 points. That pressure limited Texas Southern to just six points in the second quarter, allowing Alcorn State to build a 32-18 lead at halftime and dictate the pace for the remainder of the contest.
Kiarra Henderson delivered a steady performance on both ends of the floor, finishing with 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals while orchestrating the offense. Ja'Sharreah Hunt continued her aggressive play in conference action, scoring 14 points and consistently attacking the basket to keep the defense off balance. Nakia Cheatham was dominant inside, recording 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, providing physicality and control in the paint whenever Texas Southern attempted to close the gap.
Maya Claytor added timely perimeter shooting with eight points, including two three-pointers that halted Texas Southern runs in the second half. Dalayja Hurt-Floyd contributed five points and multiple steals off the bench, while the Lady Braves collectively out rebounded the Lady Tigers 40-32, further emphasizing their interior presence.
Texas Southern made its strongest push in the third quarter, outscoring Alcorn State 23-20 during the frame, but the Lady Braves responded with composure. Key baskets from Henderson and Cheatham steadied the game, and Alcorn State regained full control in the fourth quarter by extending the lead to as many as 18 points late.
Texas Southern was led by Daeja Holmes with 10 points and Maci Quiller with nine, but the Lady Tigers struggled to find consistent offense, shooting just 36.5 percent from the field against Alcorn State's defensive pressure.
With the win, Alcorn State University continues to build momentum in conference play, blending experience with emerging depth as the season moves forward. The Lady Braves will look to carry that rhythm into their next contest on Thursday, Jan. 22, with a 5 p.m. CST tipoff as they continue their SWAC schedule.
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