ITTA BENA, MISS. | Alabama State University women's basketball placed three players in double figures to defeat Mississippi Valley State University 66-61 for their third straight win on Monday at the Harrison HPER Complex.

Ayana Emmanuel led the way with 23 points, while Shmya Ward recorded a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jayla Crawford finished with 12 points. 
 
THE BASICS
Score: Alabama State 66 | Mississippi Valley State 61
Records: Lady Hornets 12-12, 9-4 SWAC | Devilettes 2-22, 0-13 SWAC
Date: Mon., Feb. 13, 2023
Location: Itta Bena, Miss. | Harrison HPER Complex
Get Social: Twitter - @BamaStateSports | @BamaStaeWBB | Facebook – @BamaStateSports
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The Hornets trailed 8-4 early before going on a 7-2 run to take an 11-10 lead on a pair of free throws by Emmanuel with 5:06 left in the first quarter. 
• Emmanuel nailed a 3-pointer in the final minute of the first quarter to give the Lady Hornets a 21-16 lead heading to the second quarter. 
• Ward's jump shot opened pushed the ASU lead to 23-16 to open the second quarter. 
• Alabama State used an 8-2 run to take its largest lead of the first half at 31-21 on a Ward basket with 4:37 remaining in the first half. 
• The Lady Hornets carried a 35-26 lead into halftime after a Ward layup with 32 seconds left in the second quarter. 
• The Devilettes went on a 6-0 run to cut the ASU lead to 37-34 with 3:43 left in the third quarter. 
• A Jayla Crawford 3-point play pushed the Lady Hornets' lead back to 43-36 with just over four minutes left in the third stanza.
• Cordasia Harris hit a jump shot with under one minute to go to five Alabama State a 49-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
• Alabama State began the final quarter by scoring the first five points to build a 54-44 lead.
• Kerrigan Johnson hit a 3-pointer to tie the game 58-58 with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter. 
• Alabama State went on a 6-0 run to take a 64-58 lead with just over two minutes left in contest. 
• The Devilettes kept the pressure on, cutting the deficit to 64-61 on a Lexus Eagle Chasing three with 50 seconds left in the fourth. 
• Samiya Steele and Ward each made a free throw in the final 21 seconds to seal the Lady Hornets win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Alabama State claimed their third straight win, which included sweeping the two-game road trip to UAPB and MVSU.
• Emmanuel finished with 23 points with 11 points coming on 13 free throw attempts. 
• Ward tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season
• Crawford added 12 points to round out the three Lady Hornets in double figures. 
• Johnson led three MVSU players in double figures with 14 points, followed by Zaria Harleaux with 12 points.

UP NEXT
Alabama State returns home for a two-game SWAC homestand, beginning Florida A&M University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.