lady hornets 50, ssu 44
SSU women lost opener to Alabama State
By Christopher White
Savannah Morning News
Savannah State was unable to overcome poor shooting as Alabama State defeated the Lady Tigers 50-44 Friday at Tiger Arena in Cedric Baker's debut as head coach.
As is often the case with season openers, this was a sloppy game. The teams combined for 46 turnovers.
Said ASU Freda Freeman-Jackson: "It was an ugly game but we won. Anytime you can come on the road and get a 'W', you have to feel good about yourself."
Alabama State's aggressive defense held Savannah State to just 31 percent shooting in the first half and 34 percent for the game, as it jumped out to a 35-22 lead at intermission.
Alabama State, by virtue of hitting 5 of 9 3-point field goals in the first half, opened up room on the interior for 6-foot-5 junior center Crystal Kitt, the Lady Hornets' lone returning starter and leading returning scorer from last year's Southwest Athletic Conference champions. She finished with 10 points.
Coach Baker said "they came out well-prepared for us, and I guess they knew we were not that big inside, so initially in the first half they took advantage of the size.
Come halftime, we made some adjustments that helped out in the low post on Kitt and forced the guard play."
A suffocating full court press on the ASU guards helped SSU get back in the game in the second half, forcing 17 turnovers and held ASU to just 7 points in the final 16 minutes of the game.
For the game, ASU shot just 41.7 percent.
However, SSU was not able to pull closer than six points at any time.
"They missed some shots and we got back in the game. Our kids really played hard. However, the minutes ran out on us," said Baker. Savannah State was led by junior forward Caroline Moore, the lone Lady Tiger to score in double figures, with 15 points.
Moore also had six rebounds and three steals.
Kewanda Walker led the Lady Tigers with nine rebounds.
SSU will visit Florida State today.
ALABAMA STATE (1-0)
Thomas 3-6 2-2 8, Kitt 4-10 2-2 10, Johnson 6-13 0-0 13, Fincher 2-3 0-0 6, Daniels 0-1 1-2 1, Stevenson 0-2 0-0 0, Coleman 0-1 0-0 0, Jones 4-8 0-0 10, Browning 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 20-48 5-6 50.
SAVANNAH STATE (0-1)
Stephens 3-11 0-0 6, Walker 1-3 4-6 6, Moore 6-15 3-5 15, Martin 3-6 0-0 6, Hill 3-6 0-0 6, Myers 0-0 0-0 0, Dinkins 1-1 0-0 2, Hunter 1-7 1-4 3, Barnett 0-3 0-1 0, Whitley 0-1 0-0 0, McCray 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-53 8-15 44.
Halftime?ASU, 35-22. 3-point goals?ASU 5-13 (Johnson 1-3, Fincher 2-3, Daniels 0-1, Jones 2-6), SSU 0-4 (Moore 0-2, Hill 0-1, Barnett 0-1). Fouled out?None. Rebounds?ASU 36 (Thomas, Kitt 8), SSU 32 (Walker 9). Assists?ASU 16 (three with 3), SSU 8 (Martin 4). Total fouls?ASU 14, SSU 10. A?342.
85 F
