MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama State women's basketball could not erase a late deficit, falling 77–71 to Faulkner University on Sunday afternoon inside the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

The Hornets (1–4) received a major spark from their bench, which delivered 46 points, and saw four players score in double figures. However, Faulkner (5–1) used timely shooting—especially from three-point range—and a decisive third quarter to remain in control for most of the contest.

Faulkner's Shamya Reid led all scorers with 24 points, including seven three-pointers, while teammate Charlese McClendon added 20 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. The Eagles shot 39.7 percent from the field and outscored ASU 27–19 in the third quarter, creating a cushion that proved critical down the stretch.

Alabama State was paced by Ruthia Smith, who recorded 19 points and nine rebounds while shooting 7-of-13 from the floor. Kathryn Scotland added 17 points and knocked down a pair of threes, and Avery Rogers chipped in 10 points. Freshman Charlese McClendon delivered an efficient 15 points off the bench while adding five rebounds and two assists.

After trailing 32–31 at halftime, Alabama State briefly took the lead early in the third quarter on a McClendon layup and later tied the game at 45–45 following a transition bucket from Ny'Keria Flowers. But Faulkner responded with an 8–0 run and closed the period with two fast-break scores to take a 59–50 advantage into the fourth.

The Hornets continued to battle, outscoring Faulkner 21–18 in the final period. A late push that included buckets from Smith, Scotland, and Flowers brought ASU within striking distance, but the Eagles' perimeter shooting and ability to convert turnovers into points (18 off ASU giveaways) proved too much to overcome.

Alabama State finished the game shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Hornets held a 10–5 edge in second-chance points and 11–9 advantage in fast-break scoring. However, Faulkner controlled the paint (34–26) and maintaine