MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Caylee Simpson's 17 points paced four players in double figures as Alabama State (11-12, 8-4) upended Mississippi Valley State 86-70 at the Dunn-Oliver Acadeom on Thursday.
Clearia Peterson followed Simpson with 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals, followed by Taylor Smith helped out with 13 points and three steals, and Charlese McCldendon with 10 points ans seven rebounds.
Led by Peterson's eight offensive rebounds, Alabama State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 22 boards that resulted in 29 second-chance points.
The Alabama State defense caused its share of mistakes in Thursday's game, forcing 30 Mississippi Valley State turnovers while committing 22. Those takeaways turned into 26 points on the offensive end of the floor. Shamya Reid led the way individually for the Lady Hornets with four steals.
How It Happened
Alabama State started out the scoring by going on a 6-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Simpson, to take an early lead with 8:02 left in the first quarter. The Lady Hornets then added four points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 26-16 advantage. Alabama State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 16 of its 26 points close to the basket.
The Lady Hornets maintained their lead in the game's second frame and entered halftime with a 39-30 edge. Alabama State dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 13 points close to the basket.
Alabama State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Takaya Walters-Norman, to expand its lead further to 61-44 with 1:09 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Devilettes had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Lady Hornets still entered the fourth quarter with a 63-48 edge. Alabama State played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 24 points in the paint.
The Lady Hornets coasted to the win from there, increasing their margin of victory by outscoring the Devilettes 23-22 in the fourth quarter. Alabama State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring seven of its 23 total points.
Game Notes
» The Lady Hornets held the Devilettes to only 40 percent shooting from the field.
» The Lady Hornets never trailed after taking a 26-16 first quarter lead.
» The Alabama State bench made an impact by scoring 29 points to its scoring output.
» Alabama State had a 45-35 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Alabama State defense forced 30 turnovers.
» Alabama State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 22 offensive boards in the game.
» Caylee Simpson led the Lady Hornets with a game-high 17 points.
» Alabama State got a team-high nine rebounds from Clearia Peterson.
Alabama State hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Acadome.
