The game between Alabama State and Alabama A&M symbolizes so much more than a conference competition, but the bout of the South where these two teams are intra-state rivals.
 
Head Coach Freda Freeman Jackson takes her Lady Hornets squad to Normal, Ala. on Friday for a second match-up against the Lady Bulldogs.  The teams are scheduled to begin play at 3 p.m. from the Hill at the T.M. Elmore Gym.
 
Alabama State (11-9, 9-2 SWAC) is coming off two game road trip wins from earlier this week against Miss. Valley (79-51),  and Arkansas Pine Bluff( 68-53) keeping their win streak (nine), while Alabama A&M (4-17, 3-8 SWAC) fell to Pine Bluff 69-60 and winning over the Lady Devillettes 84-74.
 
"We already know that we have to play at home and away," said Freeman-Jackson.  "We have to understand the difference between home and away.  When we are away you are by yourself and we have to lean on the defensive end.  Our main focus is to do a good job on the defensive end and we will be in the position to win this game.  This team has played better at home, but when we have away games we are going to have to figure out how to win on the road.  We beat them at our place, but I know they will be looking to play tough and get the win."
 
Fans can follow the action live on bamastatesports.com.  The game will also have live updates on Twitter and Facebook.
 
In the Lady Hornets last game against Alabama A&M, ASU won 86-50 and SWAC Player of the Week Britney Wright led ASU with a season high of 24 points and five rebounds.  Jasmine Peeples led both teams in rebounding with 10.  Wright leads the squad averaging 14.5 ppg, while senior guard Ashanti Spencer is second on the team in scoring averaging 7.3 ppg.  Peeples leads the team in rebounding with a 7.1 rebounding average.
 
For the Lady Bulldogs Janie Myles leads her squad in points averaging 13.7 ppg, while averaging 8.2 rebounds per game which she is also leading the team.  Jaylan Snowden follows Myles averaging 7.3 points per game.  Snowden has hit 23 three-point field goals this season for a .338 percentage.
 
Alabama A&M is averaging 54.7 points per game and are shooting a .366 percentage from the field and are converting .554 percent of their free throw attempts.
 
Alabama State on the other hand averages 62.7 ppg and is shooting .665 percent from the free throw line.  They also are averaging 41.8 rebounds per game.
 
"Defense has been something that I have been emphasizing," commented Freeman-Jackson.  "We have been scoring over 60 points in the SWAC, but at the same time our opponents has been outscoring us, so we have to do a better job communicating on defense.  I think the girls are working hard but we have to make better decisions and play a little smarter on defense.  We have to close our games out, make baskets and play defense."

Saturday's game between the Lady Hornets and the Bulldogs will be their 51^st meeting with Alabama State holding a 29-21 edge.  However Alabama State has won the last six of last eight meetings since the 2012 season.