MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State University women's basketball team was unable to overcome a hot start by Texas Southern University and early foul trouble, falling 55-50 in a key Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) contest Saturday afternoon.
 
"Today's game was a must win for us in order for us to control our own destiny," Alabama State head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said. "By dropping this game we will need some help by someone else knocking off Texas Southern and Grambling State. We are still in the hunt if we can get some help.
 
"You have to take care of business at home. When you lose three conference games at home, it will be tough to win a SWAC Championship. We are going to try to finish up strong the rest the rest of the way."
 
Alabama State (11-14, 10-5 SWAC) now trails Grambling State by a pair of games and Texas Southern by one game, as they find themselves in a fight for the top seed in the upcoming SWAC Tournament in March. The top four teams will all host homes games on March 7, with the four winning teams advancing to Houston for the semifinals.
 
The Lady Hornets fell behind early, trailing 18-6 after the first quarter after connecting on just 7.7 (1-of-13) percent from the floor; however, they made a charge in the second quarter with leading scorer Britney Wright in foul trouble as they cut the halftime deficit to just nine at 27-18.
 
"I am proud of the way our young kids played today," Jackson said. "With (Britney) Wright in foul trouble, they were forced to have to score the basketball. And I will tell you I am really proud of today was Victoria Harvey for the way she played inside."
 
The Lady Hornets continued to fight the way back into the contest, tying the game on pair of occasions in the second half. The first time they tied the contest came when Elisiah Jones hit a lay-up with 7:45 to play in the third quarter, tying the game at 27-all (all in the midst of a 7-0 ASU run). The game was then tied again at 29-all when Tatyana Calhoun hit a lay-up with 6:05 remaining in the third quarter.
 
Texas Southern was able to open the gap up to nine at 40-31 with 1:38 remaining in the quarter with a pair of Lady Hornet turnovers and missed shots.
 
"We missed Shaymiah (Smith) tonight," Jackson said. "She is a catalyst for us at the point guard position, and she had to sit out after getting injured in the Southern game. Anytime you are missing someone who can run your offense and control the tempo … that is big."
 
Although they trailed by nine at the end of the third, Alabama State did not go away as they continued to fight their way back into the contest. The Lady Hornets pulled to within 45-40 when Britney Wright hit a lay-up with 3:58 to play in the game, and then 45-43 when Daniele Ewert knocked down a three-pointer with just 2:43 to play. However, Texas Southern was just too tough down the stretch, pulling away for the win.
 
Wright led Alabama State with 12 points – going over the 1700 point mark for her career – while Harvey added 11 off the bench for the Lady Hornets. The Lady Hornets shot 30 (18-of-60) percent from the floor, including 21.1 (4-of-19) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the night shooting 66.7 (10-of-15) percent from the free throw line, while forcing 23 Texas Southern turnovers.
 
Texas Southern (17-9, 11-4 SWAC) was led by Joyce Kennerson with 24 points, while Kaitlyn Palmer added 13 points and Chynna Ewing 10 rebounds in the road win. Texas Southern finished the night shooting 37.5 (18-of-48) percent from the floor, including just 27.3 (3-of-11) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the night shooting 72.7 (16-of-22) percent from the free throw line.
 
Alabama State returns to action Monday night at 5:30 pm inside the Dunn-Oliver Acadome as they host Prairie View A&M on Senior Night. The game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network, with pregame starting at 5:15 pm.
 
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