Alcorn Women Edge Prairie View A&M Despite Shooting Woes
Prairie View, Texas — Despite shooting only 29 percent from the field, Alcorn State edged Prairie View A&M 48-38 Saturday in a key Southwestern Athletic Conference game at William J. Nicks Building.
The win improves Alcorn’s record to 16-11 overall and 13-3 in SWAC play. The Braves remain in contention for the No. 2 seed in the upcoming conference tournament in Atlanta, Georgia. Prairie View, which falls to 2-26 overall and 0-17 in the SWAC, has yet to beat a Division I opponent this season.
Nakia Cheatham scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, recording her seventh double-double of the season, all in SWAC games. Kiarra Henderson added a game-high 14 points, along with four assists and two steals. Maya Hunkin-Claytor neared the program’s single-season three-point record, making two to bring her total to 41, nine shy of the record.
Alcorn attempted 21 three-pointers but made only four. Henderson also contributed five rebounds and handed out four assists, tying for game-high honors. Ja’Sharreah Hunt went 0-for-5 from the field, and Chrishunti Walker played just four minutes.
The Braves led wire-to-wire, opening with an 8-0 run fueled by Henderson. Prairie View did not score until the 5-minute mark of the first quarter, ending an extended scoring drought. Jacque Giron sparked the Panthers with a late second-quarter three-pointer, but Alcorn maintained control, leading 27-15 at halftime.
In the second half, Prairie View improved its shooting, hitting 38.1 percent, but Alcorn struggled offensively, shooting just 25.9 percent overall. Cheatham scored 10 second-half points, helping the Braves hold on. The Panthers limited fast-break opportunities, holding Alcorn to just two points in transition compared to nine for Prairie View.
Alcorn forced 19 turnovers, converting them into 21 points. Rebounds were tied at 33 apiece, with the Braves grabbing 13 offensive boards. The teams will face off again in the upcoming tournament, with Alcorn seeking to improve its seeding.
The Braves return home March 3 to host Mississippi Valley State at 6 p.m. at the Davey L. Whitney Complex. Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage.
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