Birmingham, Ala. — It’s been said that defense wins games, but defending champions No. 5 seed Alcorn State wasn’t able to maintain their defensive intensity for 40 minutes. The Lady Brave lost to No. 4 seed Alabama State University 57-45 in the first round of the 2006 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament.
“I thought we didn’t breakdown in defense,” said head coach Shirley Walker. “When number 15 (Alcorn’s Adria Harris) shot two of three 3—pointers, it was then it seemed like we started to get frustrated and their became a weakness in the defense.”
Alcorn’s reliance on junior center Rasaan Powell wasn’t providing the usual lift, as Alabama State’s defense limited her every move. Powell, an All-SWAC first team member, had 21 points, scoring 15 of Alcorn’s 22 teams points in the second half. Sophomore guard Tanika Nunez finished with 10 points.
“My teammates are depending on me and I try to keep my composure,” Powell said. “I didn’t get to many looks.”
Alabama State’s head coach, Freda Freeman-Jackson told her team that they had to do a good job of defending against Alcorn. The Lady Hornets largest lead was three points before going into the half trailing by one point, 23-22.
“They did a great job of getting back in the game,” Freeman-Jackson said. “I thought they were mentally and physically ready to play.”
Big plays by sophomore guard Shantae Robinson and Harris moved the Lady Hornets into a position to pull away from Alcorn. After a Robinson steal in the second half, Harris tied the game at 31, shooting 3-for-3 from behind the arc, followed with a jumper from Robinson allowing the Hornets to take the lead.
“She put it in my face,” Robinson said referring to her steal from Nunez with 2:31 remaining in the second half. “She gave it to me and I took it.”
Robinson led Alabama State with 12 points and four assists, while Harris finished with 9 points, 3-of-4 3-pointers and Latille Ross contributed 11 points in the win.
The Lady Hornets of Alabama State go on to face the winner of the No. 1 seed Jackson State and the No. 8 seed Arkansas Pine-Bluff game on Friday, March 10 at 10 a.m. in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
