ITTA BENA, Miss. | Alabama State University women's basketball used a decisive third-quarter surge to pull away from Mississippi Valley State, rolling to an 83-50 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory on Saturdy afternoon at the Harrison HPER Complex.

Leading 38-31 at halftime, the Hornets outscored the Delta Devilettes 20-7 in the third quarter to turn a competitive game into a runaway. Alabama State shot 50 percent in the period while holding Mississippi Valley State to just 2-of-12 shooting, extending the margin to 58-38 entering the fourth.

Alabama State (5-8, 2-0 SWAC) placed four players in double figures and finished the game shooting 53.7 percent from the field. Shamya Reid led the way with 17 points, going 8-for-10 at the free-throw line. Caylee Simpson added 13 points off the bench, while Taylor Smith and Charlese McClendon chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Hornets also controlled the glass, outr ebounding Mississippi Valley State 45-23, and scored 35 bench points. Alabama State forced 20 turnovers and converted them into 25 points, while also holding a 42-22 advantage in points in the paint.

Mississippi Valley State (2-11, 1-1 SWAC) was led by Jaeda Murphy, who finished with 10 points. Ariel Jefferson added nine points and a team-high nine rebounds, while Kylah McCullers scored eight.

Alabama State continued to build on its lead in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Devilettes 25-12 to secure its second straight conference win.

Alabama State returns home for its SWAC home opnere against Alcorn State on Thursday at 6 p.m,.