MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama State women’s basketball team faced a tough challenge on Sunday, falling to Faulkner University with a final score of 77–71 at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
Despite a strong performance from their bench, which contributed 46 points, the Hornets (1–4) couldn’t quite close the gap. Four players scored in double digits, yet Faulkner (5–1) used effective shooting—especially from three-point territory—and a powerful third quarter to secure the win.
Faulkner’s Shamya Reid led all scorers with 24 points, making seven three-pointers. Her teammate, Charlese McClendon, added 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Eagles shot 39.7% from the field and dominated the third quarter, outscoring ASU 27–19, which set the stage for their victory.
Alabama State was led by Ruthia Smith, who delivered 19 points and nine rebounds on 54% shooting. Kathryn Scotland supported with 17 points, including two three-pointers, while Avery Rogers contributed 10 points. Freshman Charlese McClendon impressively added 15 points off the bench, showing great potential.
After going into halftime down by just one point, Alabama State briefly took the lead in the third quarter with a layup by McClendon. However, Faulkner responded with an 8–0 run, ending the period ahead by nine points.
The Hornets put up a spirited fight in the final quarter, outscoring Faulkner 21–18. They made a late push, closing the score gap with efforts from Smith, Scotland, and Ny’Keria Flowers. However, Faulkner’s ability to score from the perimeter and convert turnovers into points (18 from ASU’s mistakes) sealed the game.
Alabama State shot an impressive 49.1% from the field and 38.1% from three-point range. They also excelled in second-chance points, leading 10–5, and in fast-break scoring, 11–9. However, they struggled to maintain control in the paint, losing that battle 34–26.
Looking forward, teams are often judged not just by scores but by their resilience and ability to adapt. As Alabama State reflects on this game, they may want to emphasize defensive consistency and reaction time to capitalize on their strengths. With the right adjustments, they could turn performance into wins in the coming matches.
