LORMAN, Miss.| The Jackson State women's basketball team overcame Alcorn State in a thrilling 67-64 victory to open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play Saturday afternoon.

JSU held Alcorn State to just 8.3 percent from 3-point range in a 1-for-12 shooting performance on the way to the victory.

The Tigers had three players score in double figures, led by Taleah Dilworth, who had 19 points. Jaileyah Cotton tacked on 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals and Leianya Massenat chipped in as well with 11 points and two steals.

Led by Shalance Montoya's six offensive rebounds (10 total), Jackson State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in 19 second chance points. JSU came away with five blocks in the match up. Zoe Cooper led the way individually for the Tigers with two rejections.

How It Happened

• Jackson State (3-9, 1-0 SWAC) started off strong, putting together an 11-10 lead heading into the second quarter.
• The Tigers did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring six of its 11 points close to the basket.
• Alcorn State rallied to take a 21-18 lead before Jackson State went on an 8-0 run starting at the 4:05 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Dilworth, to take a 26-21 lead.
• The Braves cut into that lead, but the Tigers still enjoyed a 28-25 advantage heading into halftime.
• Jackson State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 17 points close to the basket.
• Following halftime, JSU continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 39-30 before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a three from Dilworth, to expand its lead further to 45-30 with 5:28 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 49-44 edge.
• Jackson State knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 21 total points.
• The Tigers then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter.
• JSU got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring nine of its 18 total points.

Inside the Numbers

• Jackson State shot 63.3 percent (19-for-30) from the free throw line and 21-for-48 (43.8 percent) from the field.
• The Tigers finished with 28 points in the paint, 21 bench points, 19 second chance points, 16 points off of 15 Braves turnovers and 13 fast break points.
• JSU held the Braves to only 37.7 percent shooting from the field.
• Jackson State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
• The Tigers' bench came alive by scoring 21 points to its scoring output.
• JSU's defense forced 15 turnovers.
• Taleah Dilworth led the Tigers with a game-high 19 points while Shalance Montoya registered a game-high 10 rebounds from

Up Next
The Tigers will open play at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center Thursday against Alabama A&M. Tip off is set for 6 p.m.

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