Alcorn Women’s Basketball Extends Winning Streak Ahead of SWAC Road Trip
Alcorn State women’s basketball, riding a six-game winning streak, is set for a pair of conference road games this week. The Braves will face Mississippi Valley State on Thursday and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday, as they seek to stay near the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings.
Alcorn (11-9, 8-1 SWAC) hosts Mississippi Valley State (4-15, 3-5 SWAC) Thursday at 7 p.m. at the R.W. Harrison Health, Physical Education and Recreation Complex in Itta Bena. The team then travels to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff (7-15, 4-4 SWAC) Saturday at 3 p.m. at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
The Braves have won their last six games under head coach Nate Kilbert and are just a half-game behind league leader Alabama A&M. They are shooting 36.6% from the field and 31.1% from three-point range, averaging 55.1 points per game while allowing 61.1.
Graduate student Nakia Cheatham leads the team with 255 points (12.8 ppg), along with 6.7 rebounds and a team-high 19 blocks. Kiarra Henderson is second in scoring with 177 points (8.9 ppg) and has 37 steals. Cheatham was named this week’s SWAC Impact Player of the Week after averaging 13.5 points and nine rebounds last week.
In their most recent game, Alcorn edged Grambling State 61–58, overcoming a halftime deficit to secure the victory. Cheatham posted 18 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, helping ignite a decisive third-quarter surge. The Braves outscored Grambling 20–6 in that period and limited the Tigers to 31.9% shooting.
Alcorn leads the all-time series against Mississippi Valley State 22-15 and has won the last two meetings. MVSU averages 57.1 points per game but allows 83.5. Ariel Jefferson paces the Delta Devilettes with 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alcorn holds a 17-13 series edge. The Braves have won five of their last six meetings, including a 80–57 victory in Pine Bluff last February. UAPB (7-15, 4-4 SWAC) averages 57.1 points but is outscored by opponents 70.2 per game.
The Golden Lions are led by Indiya Bowen with 13.5 points per game, and Jailah Pelly with 12.8 points and 4.4 rebounds. UAPB defeated Mississippi Valley State 68–66 on Jan. 31 and will face Jackson State prior to Saturday’s game.
Following this road stretch, Alcorn returns home Feb. 12 to host Florida A&M. Fans can follow the team on social media for updates at @BravesSports on X and @AlcornSports on Instagram.
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