MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — The Alcorn State Lady Braves used a strong third quarter to secure a 49-40 women’s basketball victory over the Alabama State Lady Hornets on Thursday night at Dunn-Oliver Acadome. In a game defined by defensive struggle, both teams shot under 35% from the floor. Alcorn State’s 18-point third period proved decisive after trailing 20-17 at halftime. Nakia Cheatham led the Lady Braves with 11 points and four blocks. Kiarra Henderson added 10 points and four assists. Alabama State, which committed 20 turnovers, was led by Shamya Reid’s nine points. Alcorn State improved to 4-8 overall, while Alabama State fell to 5-9.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed shots than made ones, the Alcorn State Lady Braves grinded out a 49-40 victory over the Alabama State Lady Hornets in a Southwestern Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The game, played before an announced crowd of 355, saw both teams combine to shoot just 31 of 102 from the field, a testament to the relentless defensive pressure applied throughout. Alcorn State improved to 4-8 overall, while Alabama State fell to 5-9. The decisive stretch came in the third quarter. After a first half that concluded with Alabama State clinging to a 20-17 lead following a low-scoring second quarter where the teams managed only five points each, the Lady Braves erupted after halftime. Alcorn State outscored the Lady Hornets 18-12 in the period, transforming a three-point deficit into a 35-32 advantage heading into the final frame. The Lady Braves’ run was fueled by interior play and capitalizing on Alabama State’s mistakes. Nakia Cheatham, a 6-foot junior from Clarksdale, Mississippi, was pivotal during this surge, scoring on consecutive layups early in the quarter. Her presence was also felt on the defensive end, where she recorded four of Alcorn State’s six blocks, disrupting the Lady Hornets’ offensive rhythm. Alcorn State guard Kiarra Henderson, a 5-9 sophomore from Fort Worth, Texas, facilitated the offense with a game-high four assists and added 10 points, including a crucial layup off a steal in the fourth quarter that helped stymie any Alabama State comeback hopes. Her backcourt mate, Leyah Houston, provided a key spark off the bench, scoring all six of her points in the second half and contributing two assists and two steals. Alabama State, which struggled with offensive consistency all night, was led by Shamya Reid’s nine points. Alanah Pooler added eight points and Clearia Peterson scored seven, but the Lady Hornets were plagued by 20 turnovers, which Alcorn State converted into 13 points. The Lady Braves, by contrast, committed only 11 turnovers. The first half set the tone for the defensive battle. Alabama State led 15-12 after a first quarter that saw five lead changes. The offensive woes intensified in the second period, with both teams enduring prolonged scoring droughts. The Lady Hornets’ last field goal of the half came at the 3:51 mark, while Alcorn State’s only basket in the final six minutes was a Cheatham tip-in just before the buzzer. Statistical categories underscored the defensive nature of the contest. Alcorn State shot 32.7% from the field and a frigid 10.5% from three-point range. Alabama State fared worse, shooting 28% overall and 19% from beyond the arc. The Lady Braves held a slight edge in points in the paint, 26-18, and made five more free throws, going 13 of 19 compared to Alabama State’s 8 of 16. Despite grabbing 15 offensive rebounds to Alcorn State’s eight, Alabama State could not translate those second chances into sufficient points, managing an offensive rating of just 63.9 points per 100 possessions. Alcorn State’s offensive rating of 76.5, while not efficient, proved to be enough on a night where stops were plentiful. The victory gives Alcorn State its second consecutive conference win following a victory over Jackson State on Jan. 3. Alabama State sees its two-game SWAC winning streak snapped. Both teams return to conference play Saturday. Alcorn State travels to face Alabama A&M, while Alabama State remains at home to host Jackson State.

Alcorn State Lady Braves Look to Build on First SWAC Win at Alabama State MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Interstat) — The Alcorn State Lady Braves, fresh off their first Southwestern Athletic Conference victory, will visit the Alabama State Lady Hornets on Thursday night in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball matchup. The game at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome will feature two teams seeking momentum early in the conference schedule. Alcorn State (3-8) snapped a four-game skid with a 49-45 road win at Jackson State on Saturday. Alabama State (5-8) enters on a two-game winning streak after an 83-50 rout of Mississippi Valley State, also on Saturday. Alcorn State guard Kiarra Henderson is coming off a season-best performance, scoring 21 points with four assists in 35 minutes to key the win at Jackson State. She will be a focal point for the Lady Braves’ offense. For Alabama State, guard Shamya Reid has been a consistent force, averaging 16.5 points over the last two games, including a 17-point, five-rebound, four-assist effort in the win over Mississippi Valley State. Both teams have faced challenging non-conference slates. Alcorn State’s eight losses include defeats to Power Five opponents Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi and LSU. Alabama State’s setbacks also came against ranked heavyweights, including LSU and Mississippi State. The Lady Hornets hold a slight edge in the overall season record, but the Lady Braves will aim to carry the confidence from their gritty road conference win into Montgomery. Alabama State will look to protect its home court and extend its win streak to three. Following this contest, Alcorn State will travel to face Alabama A&M on Saturday. Alabama State will host Jackson State on Saturday in its next SWAC action. Tip-off is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome on the campus of Alabama State University.