Jan. 12, 2008

Final Stats

Montgomery, Ala. - Effort and talent never worried Alabama State head women's basketball coach Freda Freeman-Jackson.

However, depth and experience dd.

And, both concerns combined to undermine ASU in a 62-56 home loss to Mississippi Valley State.

"We really beat them on the boards early in the game," Freeman-Jackson said. "I don't know if our girls got tired and lost some steam, or if they just beat us to the rebounds.

"But that was definitely the difference in the game."

The Hornets bolted to an early lead and cruised with a comfortable cushion for most of the game.

ASU built a 9-point margin late in the first half, an advantage that held as Shantae Robinson knocked home a jump shot just as the buzzer sounded. ASU was up 30-21 at the half.

"A team like Valley, that plays so hard and with so much effort, is never out of the game." Freeman-Jackson said.

After watching ASU dominate the glass with a 26-15 first half rebound advantage, Valley held their own by matching the Lady Hornets with 16 second half boards.

However, many of MSVU's rebounds came after Assunta Fulgham's three-point play made ASU's lead 47-38 with 6:37 to play. The Lady Hornets offense disappeared as Valley ran off 15 straight points to take a 54-47 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

The Lady Hornets tried to rally, but MSVU hit 9 consecutive free throws to seal the deal.

"Valley worked hard to slow down Erica Lumpkin," Freeman-Jackson said. "That's when she's got to learn to help the team defensively, when she is struggling offensively.

"But that is putting a lot of pressure on a freshman; we have to get leadership from Shantae."

Robinson did finish with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Shanice Merritt added 11 points and seven boards. Tanika Jackson chipped in 9 points and 12 rebounds.

The Lady Hornets play again on Monday night when they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 5:30 p.m.