The Jackson State women’s basketball team once again used stifling defense and contributions from its stars on offense in an impressive 68-44 victory to win the 2024 SWAC championship.
The Tigers won their ninth SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship and their third under head coach Tomekia Reed.
Andriana Avent led the Tigers (26-6) with 17 points, one of three players scoring double figures. Ti’lan Boler added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Hayleigh Breland chipped in with 11 points and three steals off the bench.
Jackson State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 18 boards that led to 13 second-chance points, largely thanks to Zakiya Mahoney’s five offensive rebounds.
Jackson State did a great job disrupting Alcorn State shots in the contest, coming away with 10 blocks. Angel Jackson’s six rejections led the way for the Tigers individually.
Jackson State started the scoring by going on an 8-0 run to take an early lead with 6:23 left in the first quarter. The Tigers added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered the first quarter break with a 17-8 advantage. Jackson State capitalized on five Alcorn State turnovers in the period, turning them into six points on the other end of the floor.
Jackson State built that first-quarter lead to 24-12 before going on a 9-0 run starting at the 2:30 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 33-12, a score that would hold until halftime. Jackson State forced five Alcorn State turnovers in the period and turned them into eight points.
THEE UNDEFEATED SWAC CHAMPIONS HAVE BEEN CROWNED 🏆👑
Congratulations to the Jackson State Lady Tigers for claiming the 2024 @starrylemonlime SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament presented by @Buick Title! #SWACWBB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/X2fqgBPi8y
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) March 17, 2024
Jackson State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on an 11-0 run to expand it further to 46-18 with 3:12 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Braves had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Tigers still entered the fourth quarter with a 50-23 edge. Jackson State’s bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled 10 of the team’s 17 third-quarter points.
The Tigers then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Jackson State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 18 points.
Courtesy: Jackson State Athletics
