JACKSON, MS --The Jackson State women's basketball team shot 50 percent from deep on the way to a 74-44 victory over the Alabama State Hornets at home Saturday.

The Tigers (5-9, 3-0) had four players score in double figures, led by Diaka Berete, who had 23 points. Taleah Dilworth added 14 points and two steals and Jakiylah Esco chipped in as well with 11 points and two steals from the bench.

The Jackson State offense was very productive from deep, making 12 threes on 24 attempts. Berete was the most prolific shooter for the Tigers, draining seven treys in the contest.

The Jackson State defense held Alabama State shooters to only 33.3 percent from the field, including 21.4 percent from three-point range. The Tigers also kept Justina Graham to 3-of-12 shooting and six points in the game.

How It Happened

• After jumping out to a 14-10 advantage, Jackson State went on a 5-0 run with 58 seconds left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Shalance Montoya, to increase its lead to 19-10, a score that would hold for the rest of the period.
• JSU relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 19 points.
• The Tigers kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 7:13 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Jaileyah Cotton, to increase its lead to 24-12.
• The Hornets cut into that lead, but the Tigers still enjoyed a 27-19 advantage heading into halftime.
• Jackson State dominated in the paint, scoring four of its eight points close to the basket.
• JSU continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 17-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Esco, to expand its lead further to 47-27 with 52 seconds to go in the third.
• Before the conclusion of the third period, the Hornets had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Tigers still entered the fourth quarter with a 47-30 edge.
• Jackson State knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 20 total points.
• JSU kept its lead intact before going on an 18-0 run, finished off by Arianna Durrell's jumper, to grow the lead to 65-32 with 3:59 to go in the contest.
• The Hornets narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Tigers still cruised the rest of the way for the 74-44 win.
• Jackson State fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 27 points.

Inside the Numbers

• The Tigers made half of their attempts from three point range, knocking down 12 of 24 shots.
• JSU held the Hornets to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
• Jackson State never trailed after taking a 19-10 first quarter lead.
• The Tigers tallied 18 total assists in the game.
• Diaka Berete was deadly from behind the three point line, knocking down seven treys.
• JSU's bench made an impact by scoring 39 points to its scoring output.
• Diaka Berete and Jakiylah Esco came off the bench to score 23 and 11 points, respectively.
• Jackson State had a 37-36 edge on the boards in the win.
• The Tigers' defense forced 16 turnovers.
• Jackson State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
• Diaka Berete led the Tigers with a game-high 23 points.
• Jackson State got a team-high seven rebounds from Leianya Massenat.

Up Next
The Tigers will open their first road swing of the season with a visit to Texas Southern next Thursday. Tip off is set for 6 p.m.

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