Dec. 13, 2005

Final Stats

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama State wasted little time in taking control of its home opener against Stillman College Monday night at the Joe L. Reed Acadome.

The Lady Hornets scored the first 14 points of the contest and received sterling performances from freshmen Capri Taylor and L'Teisha Holloway as ASU easily dispatched Stillman 75-37.

"This was a great win for us. We needed it," said senior guard Frantina Coleman, who finished with five points, four rebounds and two steals. "They're a good team, so it was big for us to play strong defense and execute our game plan."

Head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson, still looking for a go-to scorer, has emphasized defensive pressure in hopes it turns into offensive production. Monday night, the Lady Hornets seemed to have heeded the message. ASU (2-3) forced 30 turnovers, which turned into 28 points and some confidence for a young, but improving, team.

"I've got to formulate a system on the personnel I've got," Freeman-Jackson said. "Right now, with our personnel, we're a long ways away from having a Crystal Kitt or someone we can go to for points. We've got to get up and down the floor and play tough defense. We're having to figure out a way to produce points."

Getting points on the scoreboard was no problem for ASU, which got 21 off the bench from Taylor thanks to a 7-of-10 effort from 3-point range. Holloway added 17 and sophomore Latille Ross scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Sophomore point guard Shantae Robinson didn't score but dished out a career-high 14 assists.

"If they continue to play well night in and night out, we'll be competitive when we get into SWAC play," Freeman-Jackson said of her young players. "But we don't want to put too much pressure on them. What they give us is a plus."

The Lady Hornets will be back in action Dec. 20 when they travel to take on the University of Missouri. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.