PINE BLUFF, Ark. | Alabama State came out hot offensively to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 54-40 in their conference road game at the H.O. Clemmons Arena on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Alabama State (3-8, 2-0 SWAC) exploded in the first quarter, starting with a three pointer from Hannah White (Columbus, Miss.) to open the scoring. The Hornets opened the game with an 8-0 run and finished the quarter with ten points off turnovers and shooting 57 percent both from the field (8-of-14) and from the three-point line (4-of-7) to head into the second leading 23-12.
 
The Hornets maintained their lead in the second, holding the Golden Lions to just eight points in the quarter, extending their lead to as large as 18 before leading 36-20 at the half. Senior Tyesha Rudolph (Evergreen, Ala.) led Alabama State in the first half with 13 points, scoring 10 in the opening quarter.
 
Arkansas-Pine Bluff kept the game within striking distance, outscoring Alabama State in the third 14-11, however the Hornets continued their great defensive effort, holding the Golden Lions to just 20 (10-50) percent from the floor, 18.8 (3-of-16) percent from deep and forcing 13 turnovers.
 
Alabama State finished 35.1 (20-of-57) percent from the floor, 33.3 (6-of-18) percent from three and 50 (8-of-16) percent from the free throw line. The Hornets also led in points in the paint at 24-12, bench points at 23-9, and points off turnovers 11-5 in the win.
 
Rudolph led all scorers with 15 points along with three rebounds, while Ayana Emmanuel (For Lauderdale, Fla.) added 12 points, three rebounds and three assists in her first game since December 5 against Jacksonville State.
 
Maya Peat led two Arkansas-Pine Bluff double figure scorers with 13 points, while Tyler Pyburn added 11.
 
UP NEXT
Alabama State will have their conference home opener on Saturday in a rematch of last year's SWAC Championship Final against Jackson State. The doubleheader is scheduled for 2 pm.
 
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