MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Both newcomer
Londyn Walker and second-year Hornet
Charlese McClendon had one more team-leading performance each on Tuesday evening, as the Alabama State University women's basketball team outlasted two double-digit scoring efforts from the Talladega Tornadoes in a 69-63 victory in a non-conference challenge inside the Joe L. Reed Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
The Hornets (1-2 overall) were certainly put to the test in its second midweek contest of the 2026-27 season, facing a Tornadoes (5-1) squad that defeated a Southwestern Athletic. Conference (SWAC) foe just over a week ago, but the home squad used the home crowd advantage and a strong fourth quarter to escape Talladega and snap the squad's perfect start to the season.
Walker got the scoring started on a fast-break three-pointer and was the only person to score in the first four minutes of play. McClendon added two more points to go up by two possessions, but Talladega came back with strong three-point shooting and an aggressive and deep rotation that dragged things out to a four-point Tornado lead at halftime.
Long-range baskets by
Ny'Keria Flowers and
Elliott Jessup tied things at 34-all, but Talladega scored the next four to take back the lead midway through the third. It would hold the lead until ASU forced another tie at 41, and it took the lead after forcing errors and connecting on key free throws as the quarter ended. It would only trail by one after a buzzer-beating three was drilled by one of the many Talladega guards.
The fourth quarter allowed none of that, as a Flowers layup seven seconds in returned the lead to the home team, and it would outscore Talladega, 18-11 in the final frame with timely baskets and added free throws to seal its six-point victory.
Walker led the team's scoring efforts for the second time this season, scoring 20 points and pulling down six rebounds while drilling three treys and going 5-for-8 from the charity stripe. McClendon, fresh off her 19-rebound weekend performance, had 14 rebounds and eight points, going an efficient 3-of-5 from the field.
Caylee Simpson nearly notched a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Flowers had five points and four assists, the latter leading the team.
The Hornets nearly doubled its efficiency in the second half, going 15-for-33 while limiting its opponents to just two threes and ten total baskets in the second half. McClendon and the frontcourt squad helped Bama State lead the way in second-chance points, 14-6, while the same individuals contributed to a 36-30 edge in paint points, the last 24 coming in the second half.
The Lady Hornets hit the road for three more non-conference battles before it returns home, with UTEP (Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.), Mississippi State (Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 11 a.m.) and Northwestern State (Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m.) hosting the Black and Gold before the squad returns home to host Auburn-Montgomery on Monday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m.
