December 30, 2010

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State placed three players in double figures in a 58-47 win over Alabama State in Tiger Arena.

Ezinne Kalu, Darice Fountaine and Courtney Long combined for 44 points to lead the Lady Tigers as they improved to 7-7.

Kalu scored 18 points, including 10 from the free throw line. Fountaine added 16 points and Long contributed 10.

Alisha Nelson added nine rebounds for the winners.

SSU's defense limited Alabama State to shoot 28 percent from the floor and make 30 turnovers.

The Hornets (3-8) led 2-0 but SSU answered with 11 straight points.

Alabama State did not make their next field goal until the 8:03 mark when Yahindra Edwards made a jumper.

SSU led by as many as 10 points in the first half before the Hornets battled back to slice the Savannah State led to 18-14 with 2:13 left in the opening half.

The Lady Tigers ended the period out-scoring ASU 7-1 and took a 25-15 halftime lead.

ASU pulled within six early in the second half but a 13-3 run by the Lady Tigers gave SSU a 38-22 advantage with 13:17 remaining.

The Hornets responded with a 11-0 run to close SSU's lead to 38-33 with 9:48 on the clock.

ASU would not get any closer the rest of the night as Savannah State's put together a 13-5 run to go ahead by 13 with 4:24 remaining.

SSU's lead never got lower than seven points the rest of the contest.

Savannah State went without a field goal the final 4:24 but out-rebounded the Hornets 45 to 39.

Tanika Jackson came off the bench to pace ASU with 18 points and nine rebounds.