MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Charlese McClendon's third double-double combined with Taylor Smith's 20 points helped lead Alabama State women's basketball to a 79-71 victory over the the Univeristy of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday..
The Lady Hornets (12-12, 9-4) had four players score in double figures, led by Taylor, who had 20 points and six assists. McClendon tacked on a double-double from the bench with 15 points and 10 rebounds and Shamya Reid helped out with 12 points and two steals.
Led by Alanah Pooler's three offensive rebounds, Alabama State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in 14 second chance points.
The Alabama State defense held UAPB shooters to just 34.2 percent from the field, including 27.8 percent from three-point range. The Lady Hornets also kept Indiya Bowen to 4-of-18 shooting and 10 points in the game.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 4-3 advantage, Alabama State went on a 6-0 run with 7:34 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Smith, to increase its lead to 10-3. The Lady Hornets then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-14 advantage. Alabama State got out and ran in the period, scoring four points on the break.
Alabama State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 8:24 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from McClendon, to increase its lead to 26-16. The Golden Lions cut into that lead, but the Lady Hornets still enjoyed a 32-31 advantage heading into halftime. Alabama State dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 12 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Alabama State continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 46-43 before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from McClendon, to expand its lead further to 51-43 with 3:30 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Golden Lions had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Lady Hornets still entered the fourth quarter with a 57-50 edge. Alabama State's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled 11 of the team's 25 third-quarter points.
Alabama State kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run to grow the lead to 65-58 with 5:18 to go in the contest. The Lady Hornets kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 79-71 win. Alabama State got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring eight fast break points.
Game Notes
» McClendon notched a double-double for the Lady Hornets with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Lady Hornets held the Golden Lions to only 34.2 percent shooting from the field.
» The Lady Hornets put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 70 percent of made field goals.
» The Alabama State bench came alive by scoring 26 points to its scoring output.
» Charlese McClendon and Amari Franklin came off the bench to score 15 and 11 points, respectively.
» Alabama State had a 45-36 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Alabama State defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Alabama State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Taylor Smith led the Lady Hornets with 20 points.
» Alabama State got a team-high 10 rebounds from Charlese McClendon.
Alabama State travels to Bethune-Cookman on Thursday in Daytona Beach, Fla.
