MONTGOMERY, Ala. --Shmya Ward scored 27 points to help lead the Alabama State women's basketball team over the Shorter Hawks 76-41 at home Thursday.
The Hornets (0-0) had two players score in double figures, led by Ward, who had 27 points and three blocks. Che'mya Carouthers tacked on 12 points and DaKiyah Sanders added six points, seven rebounds and nine assists.
Gallery: (11-2-2023) WBB vs Shorter
Alabama State shared the ball well in Thursday's game, racking up 21 assists on 31 made field goals. Sanders' nine assists led the Hornets and Whitney Dunn also chipped in with three assists of her own.
Alabama State did a great job disrupting Shorter shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Ward's three rejections led the way individually for the Hornets.
How It Happened
After playing to an 8-8 tie early in the game, Alabama State went on a 5-0 run with 6:18 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Dakiyah Sanders, to take a 13-8 lead. The Hornets then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with a 17-12 advantage. Alabama State got out and ran in the period, scoring five points on the break.
Alabama State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 13-0 run starting at the 9:26 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Ryin Tillis, to increase its lead to 30-12. The Hornets proceeded to tack on two points to that lead and enjoyed a 40-20 advantage heading into halftime. Alabama State dominated in the paint, scoring 14 of its 23 points close to the basket.
Alabama State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a three from April Hooks, to expand its lead further to 51-25 with 5:07 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Hornets added five points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 61-30 edge. Alabama State played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 21 points in the paint.
Alabama State kept its lead intact before going on a 12-0 run, finished off by Ward's layup, to grow the lead to 73-32 with 5:48 to go in the contest. The Hawks narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Hornets still cruised the rest of the way for the 76-41 win. Alabama State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 15 points.
Game Notes
» The Hornets held the Hawks to only 24.5 percent shooting from the field.
» The Hornets never trailed after taking a 17-12 first quarter lead.
» Alabama State tallied 21 total assists in the game.
» Alabama State had a 41-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Alabama State defense forced 16 turnovers.
» The Hornets were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Ward led the Hornets with a game-high 27 points.
» Alabama State got a team-high seven rebounds from DaKiyah Sanders, who also had nine helpers.
