Box Score In the first game of the second half of the Southwestern Athletic swing the Alabama State women's basketball team ran out of steam in its 65-50 loss to Mississippi Valley Saturday afternoon at the Jesse Harrison HPER Complex in Itta Bena, Miss.
 
The first half of the game saw ASU dig itself into a quick hole down by five (5-0) within the first three minutes of the game.  Alabama State turned the ball over 14 times and missed some important cues that became costly.  Although the Lady Hornets were down Quentori Alford led an impressive first half with seven points and four rebounds, but it wasn't quite enough as Alabama State went into the half down eight (33-22).
 
“We came into the game with the right mind set,” said Freda Freeman-Jackson.  “The team played extremely hard but we just couldn't close out.  We had too many turnovers in the first half and that caused us to dig ourselves in a hole.  At one point we were holding Valley were we wanted them, and kept them close in range, but we let them get away and they picked up the win.  We are going to continue the game plan and try to finish out the season strong.”
 
The second half saw the Lady Hornets play a lot better, only turning the ball over eight times totaling 22 turnovers in all. Strong shooting brought Alabama State within one (38-37) with 13:25 left on the clock.  The Lady Hornets continued its sharp shooting and easy lay-up buckets, until Mississippi Valley went on an 8-0 run at the 8:13 mark.  The run continued for the Devilettes ending the contest with a 65-50 victory.
 
Ka'Neshia Smith scored 14 points and had six rebounds in leading Mississippi Valley to its eight consecutive SWAC win. Mississippi Valley improves to 11-10 overall and 8-2 in league play.  Valley had two other players in double digits in the contest.  Teammates Alia Frank and Khristina Clemmons added 12 points apiece.
 
Alabama State was led in scoring by Millicent Jones with 12.  Jones not only came off the bench scoring, but  she also made all her points in the second half of the contest.  Ashley Jones led Alabama State in rebounding with nine.  The Lady Hornets won the battle of the boards 43-39. 
 
“We played aggressive in the inside as far as rebounding,” said Freeman-Jackson.  “We simply just let Mississippi Valley get too many easy shots off.  We also let them get too many second chances around the basketball.”
 
Alabama State will travel to Arkansas Sunday to face the Lady Lions of Arkansas Pine Bluff Monday night at 5:30 p.m.