Alcorn State Women's Basketball Secures No. 2 Seed in SWAC Tournament, Honors Seniors

In a dominant performance on Senior Night, the Alcorn State Braves women's basketball team clinched the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament with a 67-56 victory over the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devilettes.

The Braves, who now stand at 17-11 overall and 14-3 in SWAC play, controlled the game from the start, jumping out to a 20-10 lead in the first quarter and never looking back. This crucial win, coupled with a Southern University loss earlier in the evening, officially secured Alcorn State's spot as the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.

Nakia Cheatham Leads the Way

Leading the charge for the Braves was senior forward Nakia Cheatham, who delivered another standout performance. Cheatham finished with a game-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, recording her eighth double-double of the season and the 21st time she has scored in double figures.

Sophomore guard Maya Hunkin-Claytor also played a crucial role, knocking down four three-pointers and finishing with 12 points. Her performance moved her within four three-pointers of tying the school's single-season record.

Braves Overcome Delta Devilettes' Comeback Effort

The Braves built a comfortable 14-point lead at halftime, thanks to a strong first-half performance that saw them shoot 48.3 percent from the field and 6-of-10 from three-point range. However, the Delta Devilettes refused to go down without a fight, outscoring the Braves 18-8 in the third quarter to trim the deficit to single digits.

Mississippi Valley State was led by junior forward Ariel Jefferson, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Seniors Jaeda Murphy and Kylah McCullers added 9 points each, but the Delta Devilettes' 26 turnovers, which led to 22 Alcorn State points, ultimately proved too much to overcome.

"This win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, especially our two seniors who we were proud to honor tonight," said Alcorn State head coach Tonya Edwards. "We're excited to carry this momentum into the SWAC Tournament and continue to represent the HBCU community with pride."

HBCUConnect Perspective: The Alcorn State Braves' victory not only secures their place as a top contender in the SWAC Tournament but also highlights the continued excellence of HBCU women's basketball programs. As the premier online community for HBCU alumni and supporters, HBCUConnect.com takes great pride in celebrating the achievements of student-athletes like Nakia Cheatham, Maya Hunkin-Claytor, and Kiarra Henderson, who are not only making their mark on the court but also serving as role models for the next generation of HBCU leaders. The Braves' journey to the SWAC Tournament will be one to watch, as they aim to bring home a championship for the Alcorn State community and the HBCU community at large.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.