Final Box

Prairie View, Texas – The Alabama State women's basketball squad called on an aggressive defense, but it wasn't enough to overtake Prairie View A&M in a hard fought 77-71 loss at the William Nicks Building.

The Lady Hornets (9-16, 6-11) rallied late against the defending SWAC champion Lady Panthers (15-10, 13-4).  

Tanika Jackson led Bama State with her 15th double-double of the season finishing with 25 points and 16 rebounds. Freshman Erica Henderson chipped in 18 points followed by a season-best 15 points from Tandria Milton.

Prairie View's Dominique Smith finished with 26 points, including scoring 21 of PVAm's 33 first half points. Shondria Combs added 19 points for the Lady Panthers and Robin Jones tallied 14 points and six rebounds.  

The two squads traded baskets early in the game before Prairie View slowly began to build a lead. The Lady Panthers were up by 10 points at the 7:47 mark, but the Lady Hornets rallied to close within four points late in the half. PVAM held a 33-29 edge at the break.

The Panthers continued to lead during the early portion of the second half. However, the Lady Hornets used an 8-0 run to close within three points. A three point shot by Erica Henderson made the ASU deficit just two at the 13:43 mark.

ASU continued to battle and with 8:46 left on the clock the Lady Hornets earned their first lead of the game. With the score knotted at 54, Prairie View went on a scoring surge and led by 11 points with 4:21 remaining on the clock.

The Lady Hornets refused to quit and pulled within six points late in the contest.

Alabama State returns home to host Grambling State University at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome, Thursday night at 5:30 p.m.