The 40 points represented the lowest single-game total allowed this season by the Lady Lions (7-4) and the second-lowest total given up by a Southland Conference member. Southeastern held Alcorn State (1-12) to 28.8 percent (15-for-52) from the field and improved to 6-0 at home this season, marking the first 6-0 home start for the Lady Lions since the 1990-91 season. The Lady Lions had nine steals, as senior forward Kristy Carlin and sophomore guard Chelsea Hix had two apiece.
Southeastern head coach Lori Davis Jones was pleased with her team's performance coming off a nine-day layoff for Christmas.
“Our focus all week has been on improving our defense,” Jones commented. “We knew we had worked hard in practice, but we wanted to see how we would react in the game. Our defensive pressure was outstanding today and allowed our offense to be successful. We were very pleased with our performance tonight and hopefully we can continue to play with high energy as we move closer to Southland Conference play.”
Carlin and junior guard Kim Edmonson scored 14 points each to lead the Lady Lions. The high-scoring pair was joined by senior center Adonna Weaver in double figures, as the Bryan, Texas native dropped in a season-high 10 points. Senior guard Charinee Mitchell fell just short of double figures, finishing with nine points. Eleven different players scored for the Lady Lions, including freshman forward Shauna Stewart, who scored a career-high six points.
Southeastern, which came into Tuesday's game ranked atop the Southland Conference and 21st in the nation with 7.2 three-pointers per game, netted eight from behind the arc versus Alcorn State. Edmonson hit four-of-six from long range, while Mitchell connected on 3-of-5 from outside.
The Lady Lions also dished out a season-high-tying 19 assists versus the Lady Braves. Mitchell dished out five dimes, while freshman guard Kelli Jenkins finished with four assists and junior guard Quantae Thomas had three assists.
Southeastern out-rebounded Alcorn State, 49-33, as Carlin led Southeastern for the 11th straight game with eight rebounds. Junior forward Zevy Ivory had seven boards for the Lady Lions to go with her career-high three blocked shots.
Alcorn State was led by freshman forward Sharnika Breedlove, who finished with 11 points. Senior forward Corneshia Hollis pulled down seven boards for ASU, while Lady Brave senior guard Brittany Myatt dished out a game-high six assists.
Southeastern was unable to pull away early in the game, as both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Alcorn State pulled within three at 15-12 on a three by junior guard Cheetara Johnson with 8:57 remaining.
Southeastern dialed up the defensive intensity over the next six minutes, rolling off a 15-2 run. Edmonson hit a trey to push the Southeastern lead to 30-14 with 2:33 remaining in the first half.
Threes by Mitchell and Edmonson closed out the half and pushed the Southeastern lead to 36-18 heading into the break. Carlin (10 points) and Edmonson (nine points) were the top scorers for Southeastern in the initial period.
Any hope of an Alcorn comeback was dashed early in the second half. A Myatt jumper cut the lead to 41-22 with 18:06 remaining in the half. Southeastern then held ASU scoreless for over seven minutes, rolling off a 17-0 run – forcing seven turnovers during the rally - to take a commanding 58-22 lead on a three by Edmonson with 11:04 left. Alcorn State would get no closer than 33 the rest of the way.
Southeastern will be back in action on Saturday, hosting Alabama – the first SEC opponent to visit the University Center since the 2002-03 season – at 3 p.m. in the University Center. Saturday's game will be broadcast live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net.
