MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Alabama State women's basketball team fell short in a 61-49 loss to the Southern University on Thursday at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

The Hornets (3-25, 3-14) had two players score in double figures, led by Solangelei Akridge, who had 13 points and two steals. Anaja Hall added 10 points and Cordasia Harris added six points.

Led by Hall's two offensive rebounds, Alabama State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 11 boards that resulted in eight second chance points.

Alabama State forced 15 Southern turnovers. The Hornets turned those takeaways into eight points on the other end of the floor. Akridge's two steals led the way for Alabama State.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Alabama State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 21-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Southern kept adding to that lead, building a 31-18 advantage before Alabama State went on a 7-0 run to narrow its deficit to 31-25. Southern responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Hornets trailing 36-27 heading into halftime.

Southern continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 47-36 advantage before Alabama State went on a 5-0 run to trim its deficit to 47-41 with 45 seconds to go in the third. The Hornets were unable to cut further into the deficit, but did not cede ground to Southern either and entered the fourth quarter trailing 49-43. Alabama State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 16 points in the paint.

Alabama State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 61-49. Alabama State took advantage of five Southern turnovers in the quarter, scoring two points off of those takeaways.

GAME NOTES

» The Alabama State defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Alabama State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Solangelei Akridge led the Hornets with 13 points.
» Alabama State got a team-high five rebounds from April Hooks.

UP NEXT: Alabama State hosts Grambling State to close out the 2023-24 season on Saturday at 2 p.m.