ITTA BENA, Miss. | The Alabama State women's basketball team kept Mississippi Valley State to just 19 percent from deep in a 4-for-21 shooting performance, but fell 68-57 to the Delta Devils on the road Thursday.
Kaitlyn Bryant led the Hornets (5-19, 3-9) with 15 points. Amari Franklin tacked on eight points and two steals and Cordasia Harris chipped in as well with five points and nine rebounds.
The Alabama State offense was strong from deep, knocking down nine threes on 22 attempts. Bryant hit three treys for the Hornets in the contest.
The Alabama State defense caused its share of mistakes in Thursday's game, forcing 15 Mississippi Valley State turnovers while committing 12. Those takeaways turned into six points on the offensive end of the floor. Ashley Gray led the way individually for the Hornets with three steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-9, Alabama State went on a 5-0 run with 3:12 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Bryant, to take a 14-10 lead. The Hornets then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with a 20-16 advantage.
Alabama State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 7:36 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Kristian Jackson, to increase its lead to 25-16. The Delta Devils cut into that lead, but the Hornets still enjoyed a 33-31 advantage heading into halftime. Alabama State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 13 points.
Mississippi Valley State then took a 40-36 lead following intermission before Alabama State went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from O'Mariyah Tucker, to grab a 41-40 lead with 6:19 to go in the third. Mississippi Valley State responded to seize a 51-43 lead entering the fourth quarter. Alabama State knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 10 total points.
Alabama State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 68-57. Alabama State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 14 points.
Game Notes
» The Hornets shot well from three point range, knocking down nine of 22 long range attempts.
» The Hornets shared the ball well, recording an assist on 62 percent of made baskets.
» Alabama State played solid perimeter defense, holding Mississippi Valley State to 19 percent from three point land on 21 attempts.
» The Alabama State defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Alabama State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Kaitlyn Bryant led the Hornets with 15 points.
» Alabama State got a game-high nine rebounds from Cordasia Harris.
Alabama State remains on the rosd to take on Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday at 3 p.m.
