Lorman, Miss. | Alabama State picked up its fifth consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference victory Monday night at E.E. Simmons Gymnasium, defeating Alcorn State in three sets (25-23, 25-9, 26-24).

While the 3-0 score indicated an easy sweep for the Lady Hornets (9-14, 6-1 SWAC), Alcorn State had chances in the opening (23-23) and final (24-21) sets to sway the momentum of the match but ultimately came up short.

A 20-minute delay interrupted action late in the opening set as both teams went back and forth until Candace Martin and Taira Cottingham put away the frame with back-to-back thunderous shots. The set was a preview of Cottingham's career night, as the junior attacked at a .500 clip in the stanza, putting down five kills. Alabama State proceeded to cruise through the second set as Cottingham had seven additional kills.

Alcorn State (5-11, 3-4) was primed to force a fourth set with a 24-21 advantage, but the Lady Hornets closed the set and match on a 5-0 run, highlighted by two Krysta Medearis kills.

Kori Kutsch recorded a double-double with 31 assists and 17 digs. It was the Torrance, Calif. native's eighth match of the year with at least 30 assists. Bennett was a kill shy of her second straight double-double, finishing with nine kills and 13 digs. Medearis put down 10 of her 24 attacks (.250) and Alabama State connected at an efficient .320 clip. Cottingham was stellar, posting a career-high 14 kills on 25 attempts. The Lady Hornets racked up 54 digs compared to just 34 for Alcorn State.

Alabama State hosts Alabama A&M Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Lockhart Gymnasium.

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