ITTA BENA, Miss. | Rakiyah Beal scored a team-high 15 points and
Moses Davenport added 14, but the Alabama A&M University women's basketball team suffered a 74-72 overtime loss to Mississippi Valley State on Thursday afternoon at the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) action.
The Alabama A&M loss snapped a 16-game winning streak against Mississippi Valley State and gave the Devilettes their first win over the Bulldogs since 2017.
Alabama A&M (4-9, 0-1 SWAC) controlled much of the opening half, using its size and rebounding advantage to build a slim lead. The Bulldogs took a 31-30 advantage into halftime after holding Mississippi Valley State to 38 percent shooting in the first two quarters.
The Bulldogs came out strong in the third quarter, opening the period on a 7-0 run to push the lead to nine following baskets from Beal, Davenport and
Kalia Walker. Alabama A&M continued to dictate the pace through the middle of the quarter, attacking the paint and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities.
Mississippi Valley State responded late in the third and carried momentum into the fourth quarter, slowly chipping away at the deficit. The Devilettes tied the game midway through the fourth before the teams traded baskets down the stretch.
With the score knotted at 65-65 at the end of regulation, the contest moved to overtime. The teams exchanged points early in the extra period, but Mississippi Valley State converted key free throws in the final minute to hold off the Bulldogs.
Beal finished with 15 points, while Davenport scored 14 points and added six rebounds. Walker contributed 12 points, and
Aniya Palmer recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Alabama A&M held a 51-38 rebounding advantage and scored 48 points in the paint.
Mississippi Valley State (2-10, 1-0 SWAC) was led by Ariel Jefferson with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Jaeda Murphy added 14 points.
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M concludes its SWAC road trip on Saturday when the Bulldogs visit Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Tip-off against the Golden Lions is set for 3 p.m. from H.O. Clemmons Arena and streamed on SWAC TV.
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