CINCINATTI, Ohio | Alabama State dropped a nonconference game to Xavier, 87-58, at the Cintas Center Tuesday night.
 
Shmya Ward led Alabama State (1-9) with 12 points and added five rebounds and two blocks. Tyeisha Rudolph chipped in nine points while Ayana Emmanuel and Jayla Crawford each added eight points.
 
The Lady Hornets trailed by a narrow 17-11 margin at the close of the opening quarter following a basket from Ward, but the Musketeers used a 6-of-9 effort from beyond the arc to take a 48-23 lead into intermission. The lead grew in the second half as Xavier scored 28 points off Lady Hornets miscues.
 
Princess Stewart led Xavier (8-2) with 18 points, while Na'Teshia Owens added 15. Lauren Wasylson and Aaliyah Dunham each recorded 12 points, while A'riana Gray added 10 points.
 
The Lady Hornets finished the night shooting 36.2 (17-of-47) percent from the floor and 16.7 (2-of-12) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 73.3 (22-of-30) percent from the free throw line, while Xavier finished the night at 44.6 (29-of-65) percent from the floor and 43.8 (14-of-32) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 68.2 (15-of-22) percent from the free throw line.
  
Alabama State returns to action on the road Saturday, Dec. 29, against Auburn, with tip set for 12 pm.

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