HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Alcorn State Lady Braves seized control from the opening tip and never relented, defeating the Texas Southern Lady Tigers 68-54 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night at the Health & P.E. Arena.

The most important part of the game was its decisive start. Alcorn State established a commanding lead in the first quarter, outscoring Texas Southern 24-9, and maintained a double-digit advantage for nearly the entire contest. The early surge provided a cushion that Texas Southern, despite a game-high 21 points from Taliyah Logwood, could never seriously threaten.

Alcorn State’s offensive execution in the opening period was clinical. After Logwood scored the game’s first basket for Texas Southern, the Lady Braves responded with a 13-0 run. The sequence included a three-pointer from Ja’Sharreah Hunt, layups from Chrishunti Walker and a burst of scoring from reserve forward Arene Iyekekpolor, who came off the bench to contribute two quick layups and a three-pointer. The Lady Braves’ defense was equally disruptive, forcing seven Texas Southern turnovers in the quarter, which led to 11 points.

The Lady Braves extended their lead to 42-25 by halftime, shooting efficiently while stifling the Lady Tigers’ offense. Texas Southern struggled to find any rhythm, shooting poorly from the field and committing 12 first-half turnovers. While Logwood kept fighting, scoring 11 points before the break, she received little consistent support.

Texas Southern showed more fight after halftime, outscoring Alcorn State 14-13 in the third quarter behind Logwood’s efforts. A driving layup by Malaya LeSueur, who finished with 11 points, brought the Lady Tigers within 51-39 late in the period. However, Alcorn State answered immediately, as Lauren Nelson converted a driving layup just before the third-quarter buzzer to restore a 14-point margin and halt any building momentum.

The Lady Tigers never got closer than 13 points in the final quarter. Alcorn State’s balanced attack and steady ball-handling, led by Nakia Cheatham and Kiarra Henderson, managed the game effectively down the stretch. Key baskets from Maya Claytor and another three-pointer from Iyekekpolor, who was a sparkplug off the bench, continually dashed Texas Southern’s hopes for a late rally.

Logwood’s 21-point, four-assist effort paced Texas Southern. Ayanna Jackson added eight points. For Alcorn State, the scoring was distributed, with significant contributions from the bench proving decisive. The Lady Braves dominated points off turnovers, converting 22 Texas Southern giveaways into 28 points.

The victory improved Alcorn State to 14-11 overall and strengthened its position in the SWAC standings. Texas Southern fell to 9-19. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Alcorn State entered the game with a 68.10 percent probability to win, a forecast borne out by their wire-to-wire performance.

The game was a rematch of a Jan. 17 contest won by Alcorn State 66-51 in Lorman, Mississippi. The Lady Braves have now won five of their last seven games. Texas Southern has lost three straight and eight of its last nine.

Alcorn State travels to face Prairie View on Saturday. Texas Southern will host Jackson State, also on Saturday.

An announced crowd of 803 attended the conference matchup.