MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State is prepped for its biggest game of the early season Saturday, as it heads to Huntsville to face Alabama A&M in a 2 p.m. matchup at T.M. Elmore Gym.
The Lady Hornets (3-0, 3-0 SWAC) and Lady Bulldogs (4-2, 2-1 SWAC) both enter the matchup playing solid basketball, so the rivalry means even more to both teams this year. Alabama State's 3-0 start is its best ever and best start to conference play since 2009.
A good bit of the Lady Hornets' success can be attributed to the performances of a trio of juniors –
Ayana Emmanuel,
Jayla Crawford and
Shmya Ward – who all average scoring in double-figures.
Emmanuel was named the BOXTOROW National Player of the Week and the SWAC Impact Player of the Week within the last week of action, thanks to a 29-point outburst in Alabama State's win at UAPB last Saturday.
Crawford has scored consistently, as well, averaging 16.7 points per game and shooting 35.7 percent from behind the arc. Meanwhile Ward has dominated down low, grabbing 9.3 rebounds to go along with 14.7 points per contest.
SCOUTING A&M
The Lady Bulldogs will counter with a trio of their own scorers, led by 2020 SWAC Newcomer of the Year Dariauna Lewis at forward. Lewis has averaged a double-double on the season, putting up 14.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. The trio is rounded out by guards Deshawna Harper (14.3 ppg) and Nigeria Jones (11.0 ppg).
FOLLOW ALONG
LIVE VIDEO: YouTube.com/aamuathletics
LIVE STATS: AAMUSports.com
SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter.com/BamaStateWBB
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: ASU, 34-24
In Huntsville: ASU, 15-9
Streak: AAMU W3
Last: Feb. 15, 2020 (in Montgomery)
Alabama A&M won, 56-55
Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University women's basketball, follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateWBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), and @BamaStateSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.
