ITTA BENA, Miss. | Alabama State used a late push in the fourth quarter to pick up the first road victory of the season, defeating Mississippi Valley State 79-62 at the Harrison HPER Complex in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action.
 
Tatyana Calhoun led Alabama State (6-15, 4-6 SWAC) with 16 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the floor, after missing the majority of the first half due to two early fouls. She finished the night with six rebounds.
 
Kenya Pye added 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor, while Shamyiah Smith scored all 13 of her points in the second half including key baskets down the stretch. Kayla Stephens recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win, to go along with three assists.
 
Alabama State finished the night shooting 49 (25-of-51) percent from the floor and 42.9 (3-of-7) percent from beyond the arc, while also shooting 73.9 (17-of-23) percent from the free throw line. The Lady Hornets also win the rebounding battle, 37-35.
 
The Lady Hornets trailed by as many as nine points in the third quarter with 1:07 to play, but went on a 13-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter ignited by a Smith jumper with 9:38 to play to trim the deficit to 51-45. After a Calhoun lay-up trimmed the deficit to 51-47, Mississippi Valley State would use a lay-up by Kenya Arnold to push the lead to 54-47 with 8:10 to play; but that was the last field goal for nearly three minutes for the Devilettes.
 
Courtney Lee hit a short jumper with 7:34 to pull the Lady Hornets to within three at 54-51, before Smith hit a lay-up with 5:22 to play to pull Alabama State to within a point at 54-53.
 
Makayla Bonner connected on a lay-up for Mississippi Valley State with 4:32 to push the lead back to three, however, a lay-up from Calhoun – followed by a free throw – with 4:01 to play tied the game at 56-all. The Lady Hornets took the lead for good on a lay-up from Kayla Stephens with 3:12 to play, and used free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
 
Kristy Parker led Mississippi Valley State (1-21, 1-9 SWAC) with 17 points, while LaKendra Bassett added 13 for the Devilettes who ended the night shooting 34.9 (22-of-63) percent from the floor.
 
Alabama State returns to action Monday night against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on the road. The game is scheduled to tip at 5:30, with the pregame show beginning at 5:15 pm on the Hornet Sports Network.

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