MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Britney Wright poured in a career-high and led three Alabama State University players in double figures as the Lady Hornets ran their winning streak to six, defeating Southern University 75-70 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome Monday night.

Wright finished the night with a career-high 35 points on the night, shooting 64.7 (11-of-17) percent from the floor and 75 (3-of-4) percent from beyond the arc. The senior topped the night off with a perfect night from the free throw line, finishing 10-for-10, while grabbing eight rebounds. The career-high topped her previous high of 32 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last season.

Tatyana Calhoun finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, including key free throws down the stretch, while Daniele Ewert added 10 points and five rebounds in the victory.

"Here lately Alabama State and Southern have developed a rivalry," Alabama State head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said. "The couple of years we have played them in the championship game and they are a tough team. We knew coming into the game that it would be a defensive battle because they do a good job of running their half-court offense."

The defensive effort was there on both sides of the court, but it was plays down the stretch by Alabama State that showed the effort of the Lady Hornets. With 1:47 to play in the third quarter, Elisiah Jones lost the basketball but sprinted the length of the court to force a turnover, found a wide-open Wright who finished the play and gave Alabama State a 53-51 lead.

The effort continued into the fourth quarter for the Lady Hornets as Southern continued to threaten late in the contest. Wright had her back to the basket and was falling away from the ball, when she was able to get her hand on the basketball and block what would have been the go-ahead basket with two minutes remaining. After another blocked shot with 1:27 to play in the game, the Lady Hornets forced a pair of traveling calls against Southern to seal the victory.

Although the defensive effort was key for Alabama State, it was the play of Wright in the first half and Ewert in the final seconds that spurred the Lady Hornets to the win.
Wright scored 24 of her 35 points in the first half, while Ewert grabbed a rebound with 13.1 second remaining in the game, and put it back in for a 70-68 Lady Hornets lead. She then knocked down five of six free throws in the final five seconds to seal the victory for Alabama State.

Alabama State finished the night 41.5 (22-of-53) percent from the floor and 38.5 (5-of-13) percent from beyond the arc. The Lady Hornets also shot 83.9 (26-of-31) percent from the free throw line, while outrebounding Southern 41-26.

Samantha Duncan led Southern (8-8, 6-2 SWAC) with 15 points, while Miaya Crowder added 14 and Courtnei Purnell chipped in 11. The Lady Jaguars finished the night shooting 42.1 (24-of-57) percent from the floor and 22.2 (2-of-9) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 87.0 (20-of-23) percent from the free throw line.

Alabama State returns to action next weekend as they begin a modest two-game road trip at Texas Southern on Saturday, with tip set for 5:30 pm.

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