MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Shamyiah Smith and Kayla Stephens hit key free throws down the stretch to secure a 70-68 victory over Prairie View A&M in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play Saturday afternoon at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
 
"We needed this win because I don't know where our season would've gone if we would've lost this game," Alabama State head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said. "We held the lead through the first half but they came back in the second half and ended up going up on us. This is just a huge win because they did all the little things to win and understood the importance of possessions down the stretch."
 
Alabama State (5-14, 3-5 SWAC) held a six-point advantage (14-8) after the start of the first period. The Lady Hornets' momentum carried into the early stages of the second quarter after Prairie View A&M went scoreless for almost five minutes and Alabama State was able to establish its largest lead of the game at 31-20. They ended the first half with a 36-28 advantage.
 
Prairie View A&M (6-13, 4-4 SWAC) outscored Alabama State 25-10 in the third quarter to obtain a 53-46 lead going into the fourth. The Lady Panthers would not go quietly as they cut the deficit down to two in the final minute of the game, but clutch free throws by Smith and Stephens sealed the deal for the Lady Hornets.
 
Tatyana Calhoun led three players in double figures, recording a new career-high with 24 points and five rebounds, while Smith added 14 points. Kayla Stephens missed a double-double by a single point, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds in the win.
 
The Lady Hornets shot 53.1 (26-of-49) percent from the floor, and 40.0 (2-of-5) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 55.2 (16-of-29) percent from the free throw line.
 
Meanwhile, Shala Dobbins led Prairie View A&M with 22 points and eight rebounds, on 6-of-16 shots from the floor and 10-of-15 from the charity stripe, while Chelsea Tieuel added 12 points.
 
The Lady Panthers shot 41.8 (23-of-55) percent from the floor, and 33.3 (6-of-18) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 72.7 (16-of-22) percent from the free throw line.
 
Alabama State will return to action Monday night against Texas Southern in Dunn-Oliver Acadome. Tip is set for 5:30 pm and will be carried on the Hornets Sports Network with pregame beginning at 5:15 pm.

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