MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University women's basketball rolled past Talladega College, 72-55, on Monday at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome, marking Johnetta Hayes' first win as head coach of the Lady Hornets.

Alabama State (1-0) jumped out early and never trailed, opening the game on a 13-3 run and leading 25-10 after the first quarter. The Hornets continued to control the pace in the second, stretching the margin to 42-23 by halftime behind a relentless attack in the paint and strong play from the bench.

Sophomore Ny'Keria Flowers sparked the Lady Hornets with nine points and three steals, while Caylee Simpson added 14 points and four assists, knocking down a pair of three-pointers to ignite the offense. Clearia Peterson dominated inside with a double-double — 10 points and 10 rebounds — and Charlese McClendon chipped in nine points, six rebounds, and two assists.

Alabama State shot 46 percent from the floor and held Talladega (3-1) to just 27.5 percent shooting. The Lady Hornets also controlled the glass 55-31 and outscored the Tornadoes 42-20 in the paint. ASU's reserves provided a major boost, contributing 45 points off the bench.

Defensively, Alabama State forced 28 turnovers, turning them into 28 points while holding Talladega without a lead for the entire contest. The Lady Hornets' largest advantage came midway through the third quarter when they went ahead by 31.

Talladega's Ceara Myers led the visitors with 11 points and four rebounds, while Kiersten Usher added 12 points and six rebounds.

Alabama State returns to action taking the University West Georgia on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Carrolton, Ga.