JACKSON, Miss. - Despite a 10-point lead heading into the half, the Alabama State University women's basketball team let its regular-season finale get away, as the Lady Hornets dropped a 68-62 decision to Jackson State University Saturday night.

Alabama State (13-15, 12-6 SWAC) led by as many as 12 after a Ziara Doe jumper at the 3:01 mark in the second quarter put ASU up 32-20, before two Doe foul shots gave ASU the 34-24 advantage heading into the break.

"I thought we started the game off pretty good," head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said. "We were able to run the offense the way we wanted to, and we were able to do what we wanted to on defense since they only had 24 points at the half.

"We got away from what we were doing in the first half, and didn't play any defense (in the second half)", Freeman-Jackson added. "We gave up 44 points and when you give up that many, especially on the road, it makes it tough."

The Lady Hornets were outscored 21- 12 in the third quarter while a Jackson State (12-16, 6-12 SWAC) three-ball knotted the score for the first time since the 4:17 mark.

Back-to-back Danielle Clark shots from behind the arc kept the Lady Hornets alive in the third, leading 46-45 after 30 minutes played. The offensive struggles for Alabama State continued in the fourth as a 23-16 advantage for the Tigers sealed the "Senior Day" victory for the home team.

Senior Britney Wright continued to lead the Lady Hornet offense, finishing with a team-best 17 points and seven rebounds. Danielle Clark added 15 points and three rebounds, while Tatyana Calhoun chipped in 11 points and four boards.

The setback, along with Southern's lose to Texas Southern, sealed the Hornets fate as the three seed heading into the SWAC Tournament next week. 

"We are going to have to get ready for the tournament, that is why they call it March Madness," Freeman-Jackson said. "UAPB is going to be tough, they beat us early on at our place and they know they can come into our gym and beat us. We just have to do the things we have been taught all year and play basketball," Freeman-Jackson added. "It is one-and-done at this juncture."

The Hornets will host UAPB on Tuesday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m., during the opening round of the SWAC tournament inside the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

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