Evans records double-double, Alabama A&M women top Alcorn State

HUNTSVILLE — Celebrating with teammates, Elexis Evans flashed a brief smile.

For the first time in her college basketball career, the Alabama A&M freshman center was in the spotlight.

Evans had her breakout moment, scoring 17 points with 19 rebounds as Alabama A&M topped Alcorn State 87-69 Monday night in a Southwestern Athletic Conference women's basketball game.

"Elexis was unstoppable," Alabama A&M guard Nigeria Jones said. "That's the type of play we've been waiting on. We know Lex is capable of doing that every night."

Usually quiet and reserved off the floor, Evans is a person of few words.

Against Alcorn State, Evans did not have to say much. Her performance told the story.

With a height advantage against Alcorn State's post players, Evans, a 6-foot-3 center from Greensboro, Ala., dominated the boards, grabbing 11 defensive rebounds and eight offensive boards. She also scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half, helping Alabama A&M (9-9, 4-3 in SWAC) pull away in the fourth period.

"Our coaches have been telling me to be aggressive," Evans said. "I was a little bit bigger than they were, so I tried to be aggressive and make things happen."

Alabama A&M never trailed, taking a seven-point lead into halftime, and stretching the cushion to 12 by the end of the third period.

Jada Hargrove led Alcorn State (3-17) with 20 points, while De'Asia Brown and Diamond Hall each scored 13.
Alabama A&M put together a strong offensive performance, shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

Nigeria Jones finished with 15 points for Alabama A&M, while DeShawna Harper scored 13. Teirra Dark added nine points with 10 rebounds.

After dropping two-straight conference games, the players said that bouncing back with a win was important before Alabama A&M hits the road later this week for two SWAC games in Texas.

"We were determined to get it back on track," Jones said. "In the last two games, we didn't play well — not like we're capable. It was frustrating, so to come out play well, and get a good win here at home was nice. It's exactly what we needed."

Alabama A&M plays at Prairie View A&M on Saturday.

"This is an important trip coming up for our team," Alabama A&M coach Margaret Richards said. "We've got a tough two-game road trip, so it's important that we prepare the right way this week and build on how we played tonight."

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Players Mentioned

#32 Elexis Evans: F; 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman

#23 Deshawna Harper: G; 5' 5"; Sophomore

#5 Nigeria Jones: PG; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#32 Elexis Evans
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Freshman
: F

#23 Deshawna Harper
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: G

#5 Nigeria Jones
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: PG

Players Mentioned

#32 Elexis Evans

#23 Deshawna Harper

#5 Nigeria Jones

Players Mentioned

#32 Elexis Evans

#23 Deshawna Harper

#5 Nigeria Jones