Feb. 5, 2007

Final Stats

After getting beaten by 24 points in Prairie View on January 27, the Alabama State Lady Hornets were 3-5 and having the worst season of Freda Freeman-Jackson's 9-year tenure. Freeman-Jackson openly challenged her team and they have responded.

Their 72-60 win over Mississippi Valley State was their third victory in a row, and propels them into a match up with first place and undefeated Alabama A & M on Saturday.

The Lady Hornets started what would be a half of runs by hitting six of their first seven shots to build a 15-4 lead. The Delta Devilettes answered with a 20-6 run, leaving the score at 24-21.

ASU regained the lead and the momentum by 14-3 streak over the last 3:50 of the half, and took a 35-27 lead to the locker room. Daphne Williams had done much of the damage by burying three three-points shots, on the way to nine first half points.

The Lady Hornets pushed their advantage to as much as 15 as they appeared in complete control of the game. However, they appeared to lose their focus as they committed several careless turnovers and missed some easy shots and MVSU crept back with three.

But the freshman duo of Assunta Fulgham and Essence Butler wouldn't give in.

Fulgham hit a tough jump shot and Butler turned a nice dish from Shantae Robinson into a 3-point play and ASU was back in front by eight. ASU would salt the game away with some free throws and another Williams' 3-pointer.

Fulgham led ASU with 18 points. Williams had 15, and Robinson and Butler had 12 each.

Portia Wilson was Mississippi Valley's (5-15, 2-9 SWAC) only player in double figures with 22 points.

ASU (8-14, 6-5 SWAC) squares off with Alabama A & M, who is 11-0 in the SWAC, on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Joe L. Reed Acadome.