Jan. 7, 2008

Final Stats

Jackson, Ms. - Monday night, the Alabama State Lady Hornets and the Jackson State Lady Tigers could have been excused if they'd put on lackluster efforts.

After all, their match-up started much later than usual after ESPN U televised the men's game. Also, there were few fans on hand in the Williams' Athletic Center because students had yet to return to campus.

Still, these two SWAC rivals battled through regulation and two overtimes before JSU scratched out a 72-70 win.

Though they were never able to pull away, the Lady Hornets were firmly in charge of the first half. Freshman phenom Erica Lumpkin buried an array of shots en route to 10 early points. That, plus ASU's 20-14 rebounding advantage and solid play from Tanika Jackson and Shantae Robinson, pushed the Lady Hornets to a 32-26 halftime lead.

JSU made an immediate statement as Lasharee Christian hit a three-pointer to start the second half. The game was back and forth until Jackson and Assunta Fulgham hit back-to-back shots to put ASU up by three with just over two minutes to play.

However, Christian hit another three-pointer - this one with only 52 seconds remaining - to knot the score at 63 -the fifth tie of the game - and send it to overtime.

Neither team was able to do much in the first extra period. Robinson hit two free throws, and JSU answered with another three-pointer by Eboni Ross and a free throw by LaShonda Gaines.

But Robinson penetrated into the teeth of the defense and drew a foul call. She calmed stepped to the free throw line and hit two more big free throws. Enter period two.

Robinson again drove inside and again drew contact. And, again she nailed two free throws. LaShundreya Townsend added a free throw and ASU led by three.

However, JSU hit two inside shots to re-take the lead at 71-70. After a Lady Hornets' turnover, LaShonda Gaines split a pair of free throws, making the score 72-70 and leaving the door open for ASU.

Unfortunately, this time, Robinson got inside but didn't get a call, and her shot and two put-back attempts rolled off the rim as time expired.

Robinson finished with 17 points and 8 assists, while Lumpkin had 19 points. Tanika Jackson totaled 12 points and 11 rebounds.

ASU (4-8, 1-1 SWAC) is back in action as they host Mississippi Valley State (6-5, 1-0 SWAC) on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the Joe L. Reed Acadome.

For ticket information, call (334) 229-4551 or visit the Acadome ticket office.