For the Jackson State University Lady Tigers, 13 is a lucky number.
Following a sluggish start against visiting Bethune-Cookman University that saw them trail by as many as five points in the opening quarter, the Lady Tigers found their mojo, taking a 35-30 lead at halftime before routing the B-CU Lady Wildcats by a score of 83-64.
Jackson State's 19-point victory against the Lady Wildcats comes after a 60-point win over B-CU earlier this season in Daytona Beach, Fla.
JSU head coach
Tomekia Reed said despite the slow start, she was proud of her team's performance on Monday night.
"We lacked effort early and had bad spots within the game, but we were able to pull it out," said Reed. "I'm proud of the team for being able to win big while not playing our best."
Jackson State's second quarter comeback against the Lady Wildcats was keyed by the same player who has been taking charge all season long, senior center Ameshya Williams. When the team was down by five with 7:19 left in the second period, it was a jumper by Williams that started the comeback, cutting a 23-18 B-CU lead to 23-20 at the 7:04 mark. She went on to add four more points before finishing the first half with 14.
In the decisive second half, the Lady Tigers looked as dominating as they've looked all season, surging to a 22-point lead at 74-52 with 6:35 left in the ballgame. B-CU could get no closer than 14 the remainder of the game.
For the game, four Lady Tigers scored in double-figures, led by Williams, who finished with a game-high 24 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots. She has now had a double-double in each of her team's 13 SWAC games this season.
Joining Williams in double figures for JSU were redshirt junior forward
Daja Woodard with 15 points, redshirt junior forward
Miya Crump with 14 and senior guard
Dayzsha Rogan with 10. Woodard added eight rebounds.
The Lady Tigers will try to make it 14 straight wins in the conference when they travel to rival Alcorn State on Saturday. Tipoff of that game at the Davey Whitney Arena will be at 1 p.m.
"Alcorn will be a scrappy game," said Reed. "They're coming of a Saturday win and an overtime loss tonight, and we are expecting them to play us extremely hard at their place. We have to be solid and resilient. We'll have to play hard for 40 minutes."
