CORAL GABLES, Fla. | Anaja Hall had a career-high 12 points as Alabama State University fell to the University of Miami 81-36 on Thursday at the Watsco Center.
 
THE BASICS 
Final Score:  No. 22 University of Miami 81 | Alabama State 34
Records: Lady Hornets 0-11 | Seminoles (10-1)
Date: December 28, 2023
Location: Watsco Center | Coral Gables, Fla.
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Anaja Hall led the Hornets (0-11) with 12 points and two blocks. DaKiyah Sanders also added eight points, four assists and two steals and Whitney Dunn chipped in as well with five points and three steals.

The Alabama State defense was a problem in Thursday's game, forcing a season-high 22 Miami (FL) turnovers that led to 16 points. Dunn's three steals led the way individually for the Hornets.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After jumping out to a 5-4 advantage, Alabama State went on a 6-0 run with 2:18 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Dakiyah Sanders, to increase its lead to 11-4. The Hornets then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 14-6 advantage. Alabama State relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 14 points.

The Hornets could not maintain their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime trailing 29-22.

Alabama State's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Hornets faced a 57-26 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Alabama State played well near the basket, scoring two of its four points in the paint.

Alabama State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 81-36. Alabama State took advantage of four Miami (FL) turnovers in the quarter, scoring three points off of those takeaways.

GAME NOTES

• The Hornets shared the ball well, recording an assist on 85 percent of made baskets.
• The Alabama State defense forced a season-best 22 turnovers.
• Alabama State got a team-high three rebounds from Ryin Tillis.
• The Lady Hornets led 14-4 at the end of the first quarter.
• Mami outscored ASU 15-6 in the second quarter to lead 29-22 at halftime.
• Hall finished with a career-high 12 points for her first career game in double figures.
• Tillis led the Lady Hornets with three rebounds and Hall had two of the team's three blocked shots.
• This was the second all-time meeting in the series with Miami winning both meetings in Coral Gables.

UP NEXT: Alabama State begins its SWAC conference schedule at Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, Jan., 6 at 4 p.m. in Itta Bena, Miss.