Hunkin-Claytor scores 22 as Alcorn beats Bethune-Cookman in SWAC game

Maya Hunkin-Claytor scored a season-high 22 points, all from three-point range, helping Alcorn State erase a halftime deficit and defeat Bethune-Cookman 66-57 in a women’s basketball game Saturday at the Davey L. Whitney Complex in Lorman, Mississippi.

The win marked the Braves’ first season sweep of Bethune-Cookman since the Wildcats joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2021. Hunkin-Claytor finished 7-for-12 from long range, fueling the comeback.

Chrishunti Walker scored 13 points, her fourth game reaching double figures. Nakia Cheatham handed out five assists, the most for either team. Kiarra Hender added 11 points and eight rebounds, extending her streak of double-digit scoring to five games.

Bethune-Cookman shot 48.1% in the first half, building a 33-26 lead at halftime. The Wildcats led 21-12 early in the second quarter after Madison Holden drained a three-pointer. Alcorn responded with an 8-0 run, sparked by Henderson, to cut the deficit to 21-20.

The Braves started the second half with a 17-0 run, beginning with a three-pointer from Hunkin-Claytor and extending their lead to 43-33. Holden hit a team-high four three-pointers for Bethune-Cookman to tie the game at 45 with 2:35 remaining in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Alcorn took a 53-51 lead after Cheatham made a free throw, then pulled away with a 7-2 run. Ja’Sharreah Hunt scored the final four points at the foul line to secure the victory, marking the Braves’ ninth consecutive home win.

Alcorn forced 22 Bethune-Cookman turnovers, converting them into 37 points. The Wildcats outrebounded the Braves 35-25 and shot 46.8% from the field. The teams will meet again on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. in Lorman, with Alcorn hosting Jackson State in a key SWAC matchup.

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