Nov. 19, 2006

Final Stats

It was no surprise that the Alabama State Lady Hornets started a bit slow Sunday night. It was their home opener, they were playing without leading scorer L'Teisha Holloway and more than half of the roster had only one college game to their credit.

But Shantae Robinson rallied her band of young guns to a solid 76-63 win over Winston Salem State University (WSSU). Robinson, a preseason 2nd team All-SWAC selection racked up 15 points and 11 assists in ASU's first win of the season.

The Lady Hornets trailed by one after the first eight minutes. Enter Daphne Williams.

The freshman from Smith's Station, Alabama scored ASU's next 15 points -all on 3-pointers--spurring the Lady Hornets to a 30-24 lead. Williams' outburst fired up her teammates, who finished the half on a 16-9 run, staking ASU to a 46-33 lead.

However, WSSU turned up its defense and held the Lady Hornets to only seven points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Akebia Williams hit a jump shot at the 10:42 mark, and Lady Rams were down by only one, 52-51.

ASU's young players continued to play beyond their years as freshmen Essence Butler and Jasmon Hazley scored the Lady Hornets next seven points.

But it would be veteran Shantae Robinson who put the game out of reach with a three pointer, building a 68-59 lead with about three minutes left.

Essence Butler led ASU (1-1) in scoring with 19 points. Daphne Williams added 15.

For WSSU (0-4), Ja'Pel Sumpter scored 19 points, while Shalonda Carter put in 15.

The Lady Hornets are back in action on Friday afternoon when they host Tuskegee at 4 p.m.