MONTGOMERY – Despite a career night from sophomore forward Britney Wright and another stout performance from center Jasmine Peeples, the Alabama State women's basketball team was hurt by a series of fouls and turnovers down the stretch in a 90-85 conference loss Monday night at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
 
With the score tied at 78 with 2:16 remaining, the Lady Tigers took the lead for good on a 3-point shot by Ke'ra St. John. 
 
In the final 2:46 of play, ASU committed five fouls, two turnovers and missed three shots.
 
Four free throws by Alisa Ross and two baskets by Kaylan Hughes steered Jackson State in the closing minutes.
 
"We didn't capitalize," said coach Freda Freeman-Jackson. "We missed some free throws and let them score.  We had an opportunity to go up four on the fast break, but we took a wild shot instead of passing it up to Britney Wright, who was scoring pretty easily.  Our decision making was not good.  JP [Jasmine Peeples] fouled out and they killed us down the stretch.  We have to do a better job of playing defense."
 
The game was fast paced and physical with a combined 67 fouls called between the teams.  The constant whistles and trips to the free throw line resulted in the game lasting over two hours and 15 minutes.
 
The Lady Hornets (5-7, 1-1 SWAC) led by as many as 10 points with 7:25 remaining in the first half, but held just a one-point advantage by halftime. 
 
Wright poured in a career-best 28 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field including 4-of-6 from 3-point range and 8-of-9 from the line.  The Detroit, Mich. native added a team-high 11 rebounds and three steals. 
 
Peeples neared her season double-double average by scoring 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor to go along with nine rebounds and three blocks. 
 
But after Peeples fouled out with 2:42 remaining, the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Hornets 14-7. 
 
Freshman Kayla Stephens shot 4-of-5 from the floor and scored 12 points. Sophomores Kayla Tucker and Daniele Ewert added nine points apiece.
 
The Lady Tigers (5-8, 1-1 SWAC) shot 35-of-51 from the charity stripe while ASU made 28-of-43 from the line. 
 
Alabama State will play at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

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