Jan. 28, 2006

Final Stats

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama State guards Adria Harris and Shantae Robinson combined for 10 points in Saturday's Southwestern Athletic Conference showdown with Texas Southern.

But six of those points were huge, coming in the final 2:05 to lift the Lady Hornets to a 57-55 win over the Lady Tigers at the Joe L. Reed Acadome. It capped a victory that saw ASU (7-9, 5-3) hold the first and last leads of the game but trail at every other point in between.

"It's not where I'd like to play from, but a win is a win," head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said of her team winning four of its last five games despite trailing at halftime in three of them. "We have to be more focused and play with a better tempo from the start. That just shows our youthfulness."

ASU trailed 55-50 when Harris drained a 3-pointer from the corner to cut the deficit to two points. On the Lady Hornets' ensuing possession, senior guard Frantina Coleman missed a 3-pointer from the wing, which was rebounded by TSU's Taneisha Riles. But Robinson stole the ball from Riles, used an up-and-under move to get a doulble-pump shot towards the basket, was fouled by Monica Okolo and had the shot fall to tie the game. He free throw completed a 3-point play to give Bama State a 56-55 advantage with 1:18 remaining.

"I knew if I just threw it up there, I'd be able to get the ball in the basket," said Robinson, who had seven points and four assists in 30 minutes.

Freeman-Jackson said she's not very fond of the type of shot but more than thrilled with the result.

"It's something I'm trying to get out of their repetoire. But I'm glad it worked tonight," Freeman-Jackson said.

Latille Ross, who scored six points, grabbed 13 rebounds and had four steals off the bench, hit 1-of-2 free throws with nine seconds remaining. The Hornets then stopped Texas Southern on its final possession to secure the victory.

Okolo scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Lady Tigers. Elma Stevenson scored a team-high 11 points for ASU while Coleman added 10 points and three steals.