MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The Alabama State women's basketball team kept Bethune-Cookman to just 30.2 percent shooting from the field, but fell 56-53 to the Wildcats at home Thursday.
The Hornets (6-20, 4-10) had two players score in double figures, led by Kaitlyn Bryant, who had 13 points and two steals. Amari Franklin added 11 points, seven assists and three steals and Cordasia Harris added eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Harris pulled down four offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Alabama State, grabbing 16 boards and turning them into 10 second chance points.
The Alabama State defense held Bethune-Cookman shooters to 30.2 percent from the field, including 27.3 percent from the three-point range.
How It Happened
Alabama State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 23-4 at the end of the first quarter.
The Hornets lost ground in the second quarter and faced a 38-16 halftime deficit.
Bethune-Cookman continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 41-18 advantage before Alabama State went on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Camariyana Tavares, to trim its deficit to 41-26 with 2:55 to go in the third. The Hornets continued to reduce the Bethune-Cookman lead, shrinking it to 44-30 by the end of the third quarter. Alabama State played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 14 points in the paint.
Alabama State narrowed its deficit to 45-35 before going on a 9-0 run to shrink the deficit to 45-44 with 4:23 to go in the contest. Bethune-Cookman responded and outscored the Hornets the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 56-53. Alabama State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 23 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Hornets held the Wildcats to only 30.2 percent shooting from the field.
» The Hornets shared the ball well, recording an assist on 74 percent of made baskets.
» The Alabama State defense forced 21 turnovers.
» The Hornets were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Alabama State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Kaitlyn Bryant led the Hornets with 13 points.
» Alabama State got a team-high nine rebounds from Cordasia Harris.
