Final Box
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State's
Tanika Jackson recorded her third consecutive double-double in Southwestern Athletic Conference play in leading the Lady Hornets to a hard-fought 48-46 victory over Mississippi Valley State Saturday afternoon at the ASU Acadome.
Jackson finished the game with 12 points and 15 rebounds in leading ASU (5-7, 2-1 SWAC) to the victory in its league home opener. It was her sixth double-double this season and the 11th of her career. The junior also was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line including hitting the game-securing shots in the final minute.
With the loss, MVSU falls to 4-9 overall and 1-1 in SWAC play. Ashley Brown finished with 10 points in leading the Delta Devilettes.
Throughout the game, Alabama State was able to build a lead only to see Mississippi Valley battle back and closed the deficit. The Lady Hornets opened the game with a 6-1 run before seeing MVSU tie the score at eight with 14 minutes remaining.
ASU would build a lead as large as eight points, 23-15, at the 4:51 mark, but Valley would rally and trail just 25-21 at the half.
Alabama State raced out of the gates in the second half using a 10-3 run over the first nine minutes of play to own a 33-24 advantage. ASU would take its largest lead, 38-27, following a pair of free throws from
Briana Thomas with 8:55 left to play.
A 12-4 surge by MVSU over the next three minutes trimmed the Lady Hornets lead to just three with five minutes remaining. Mississippi Valley pulled to within two points of ASU after Arlivia Young connected on a pair of free throws with 39 seconds on the clock.
A turnover by the Lady Hornets on their next possession allowed MVSU a final chance to win the game. However, Brown's game-tying jumper would not fall allowing ASU to earn the victory.
Sophomore
Jasmine Quinn also scored 12 points for ASU and pulled down seven rebounds.
Shanice Merritt finished with nine points for the Lady Hornets.
ASU continues its current three-game SWAC homestand Monday at 5 p.m. against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
