Box Score In their best played defensive stance of the season the women's basketball team of Alabama State slide by the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M in a 69-67 overtime win at the T.M. Elmore Gym Saturday night.
 
“Coming into the game I told the girls the answer to the test was to play superb defense,” said head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson.  “It registered because the first five minutes of the game the girls went on a 10-0 run.  I am so proud of these young ladies not giving up it was a situation when “Q” should have made a shot, and we fouled some players and they girls stayed in it.  They made rebounds and stops when we needed to and this is an excellent win for these young ladies.  We have been struggling and for us to get this win makes me extremely proud.”
 
The Lady Hornets had four players in double figures, Kierra Paige leading the team with 17 points, Nakiya Smith added 16, Quentori Alford had 12 and Ashley Jones with 10.  Alford was 4-10 from the field and had 11 boards. 
 
Btrittney Strickland of Alabama A&M came off of the bench to lead all scorers with 20 points.  Brittney's twin teammate Alyssa Strickland scored 14 and NaDra Robertson added 11 to their loss.  Robertson also pulled down 10 rebounds.
 
Alabama State improved to 5-11 overall, and 3-2 in the SWAC.  Prior to tonight's game Alabama A&M was undefeated in conference play falling to 5-10 overall and 4-1 in league play.
 
In the first half, the Lady Hornets took a 10-2 run with 15:06 left as Paige hit a field goal.  Alabama State continued its surge going into the intermission with a 37-34 lead. 
 
Alabama State maintained its lead going into the second half until the 15:34 mark when the game saw its second tie of the game knotted at 41-41.  Alabama State went on a 6-0 run to take a 47-41 lead with 12:44 left on the clock.  With less than five minutes left in the game the teams went back and forth seeing two more ties the final coming off of Smith's free-throw taking the two teams into overtime tied at 61-61.
 
In the overtime period Alford hit two free throws to lead ASU to the overtime win. 
 
“I told my girls that we ended up in overtime because they worked hard to get it done,” Freeman-Jackson stated.  “We won the game and I am happy for them.  During the over time I knew Nakiya was getting fatigued and we put Erica Henderson in because she is a smart player and not only that a true senior leader.  She came in and filled the shoes when we needed her to.  Taila Arrington also played a good hard game tonight along with “Q” who did a great job defensively and did all the things that we wanted her to do.”