LORMAN, Miss. –
Nakia Cheatham poured in a game-high 17 points Tuesday evening to help Alcorn Women's Basketball secure the No. 2 seed in the upcoming
Pepsi Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, as the Braves fought past visiting Mississippi Valley State 67-56 in a key league fixture taking place at Davey L. Whitney Complex in Lorman, Mississippi.
Alcorn (17-11, 14-3 SWAC) recorded its 10th home win of the campaign on the night, while a Southern (La.) loss away to Alabama State secured the second seed for the Braves, respectfully. Meanwhile, Mississippi Valley State (6-22, 5-12 SWAC) got the game to single digits on several occasions, but could never strike back, as the only lead of the game for the Delta Devilettes was early in the opening quarter.
Braves Standouts
•
Nakia Cheatham scored in double-figures for the 21st time on the year, registering 17 points and 12 rebounds.
• The double-double for Cheatham was the eighth of its kind for the Clarksdale, Mississippi native on the campaign.
•
Kiarra Henderson finished her night with 22 points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes of action.
•
Maya Hunkin-Claytor nailed four (4) three points, allowing to move within four of tying the school record for most threes in a single season.
• Hunkin-Claytor finished the night with 12 points, shooting 4-for-6 from long range.
How It Happened
• Alcorn opened with a 20-10 first period, setting the tone early and forcing Mississippi Valley to play from behind the rest of the night.
• A 19-15 edge in the second gave Alcorn a 39-25 halftime lead, highlighted by a late three-pointer from
Maya Hunkin-Claytor to extend the margin to 14 points.
• Alcorn shot 48.3 percent and 6 of 10 from beyond the arc in the first half.
• MVSU outscored the Braves 18-8 in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to single digits behind improved defensive pressure.
• The Purple and Gold answered with a 20-13 fourth quarter, shooting 53.8 percent in the final period to close out the 11-point win.
• Alcorn dominated in transition, scoring 25 fast-break points compared to 13 for Mississippi Valley.
• The Braves finished the game shooting 44 percent overall and held a 30-26 edge in points in the paint.
• The Braves also posted a 50 percent effective field goal percentage, compared to 33 percent for Mississippi Valley.
• The Delta Devilettes used a team-high 12 points from Ariel Jefferson, as she completed a double-double with 10 rebounds as well.
• Alcorn forced MVSU into 26 turnovers, converting those into 22 points, respectfully.
Up Next
Alcorn hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday, March 5, for "Senior Appreciation Night" beginning at 6 p.m., back at Davey L. Whitney Complex.
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