MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University women's basketball placed five players in double figures Thursday night and pulled away in the second half for a 76-64 victory over Florida A&M at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.

The Hornets claimed their third straight SWAC win, improving to 8-11 overall and 5-3 in the conference  Florida A&M fell to 4-14 and 4-4 in the SWAC.

Clearia Peterson recorded her seventh double-double of the season to lead the Hornets, finishing with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. The junior forward controlled the paint on both ends as Alabama State outscored Florida A&M 38-28 after halftime to secure the home win.

Alabama State shot efficiently throughout the night and used balanced scoring to offset a competitive first half. The Hornets took a narrow advantage into the break before building a 17 -0oint advantage in the third quarter.

In addition to Peterson, four other Hornets reached double figures. Shamya Reed followed Peterson with 12 points  and four assists while Ny'Keria Flowers and Amari Frankling had 11 points. Caylee Simpson added 10 points adn eight rebounds and Chaleee McClendon grabbed 11 boards.  

Florida A&M was led by ahnyjia  Purifoy,, who scored 18 points, but struggled as the Rattlers never climbed closer then seven point in the second hal.f

The Hornets will return to action against Bethune Cookman on Saturday at Noon on HBCU BO TV.