MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Bethune-Cookman's Nia Jordan scored 19 points on Monday evening, but it would be Alabama State outlasting Bethune-Cookman 74-71 in triple overtime of a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Basketball instant classic at Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
 
Bethune-Cookman (10-15, 9-6 SWAC) held a 40-38 lead after three quarters of play, thanks in part to a Nia Jordan layup with seconds remaining in the period. The visiting Wildcats extended their lead at 43-38 just moments into the final quarter of regulation as Jordan knocked down a jumper in the paint and proceeded to finish the three-point play with the free throw conversion.
 
Alabama State (14-12, 11-4) responded with a 7-0 run from the duo of Ayana Emmanuel and Jayla Crawford to take a 46-43 lead with over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
The lead would change hands four times during the final seven minutes of regulation. But it would be Chanel Wilson – one of the league's most prolific scoring threats, fouling out for BCU in the fourth quarter that would be key later.
 
Cordasia Harris' layup off the assist from Crawford allowed the Hornets a 55-53 lead with 1:11 remaining. Bethune-Cookman's Morgan Beacham would send the game into overtime with her made jumper just inside the foul line with 14 seconds remaining, knotting the game at 55-all.
 
In the first OT, BCU stepped out in front first at 60-55 when Kayla Clark converted a putback layup, followed by a Beacham jumper in the paint – including the free throw to finish the old-fashioned three-point play. With the Wildcats up 61-57, Crawford connected on a three-pointer and then a jumper from the elbow to put the Hornets on top 62-61 with 1:27 remaining.
 
Jordan turned for a jumper in the paint to help the Maroon and Gold reclaim the lead 63-62, before ASU's Emmanuel hit one-of-two at the charity stripe to send the game into double overtime tied 63-63.
 
Neither team could find the shooting touch in the second overtime period, with both sides scoring just two points each, respectfully. Jordan put in a jumper, while ASU used a Crawford layup with 38 seconds remaining to send the game into a third overtime and the score deadlocked 65-65.
 
BCU once again took the lead first in the third overtime period, this time with yet another Jordan jumper to put the Maroon and Gold up 67-65. ASU used a free throw from Shmya Ward to half the deficit, before teammate Emmanuel toed the line and knocked down both free throws to give the hosts the lead at 68-67 with 2:08 left.
 
Ward would get inside for another layup to extend the lead at 70-67 for the Hornets with under a minute to play. Beacham answered for the Cats with two free throws, pulling the visitors closer at 70-69 with 36 seconds showing on the clock.
 
But again, it would be Ward knifing through the paint for a layup to extend the Hornets lead at 72-69.
 
And again, it would be Beacham converting both shots from the charity stripe to pull her side within one at 72-71.
 
A foul by BCU allowed Crawford to toe the line and connect on both shots to seal the win for the Hornets.
 
ASU was charged by a 23-point effort from Jayla Crawford, followed closely by Ayana Emmanuel's 20-point outburst. Emmanuel added 10 rebounds to complete her double-double. Cordasia Harris had 12 points and 14 rebounds for her double-double as well.
 
Jordan led the Wildcats in scoring with 19 points and 10 rebounds – her third double-double of the campaign. Meanwhile, Kayla Clark teamed with Chanel Wilson to score 13 points each, while Clark registered a double-double with 11 rebounds – her third double-double of the season. It was Beacham finishing with 10 points for BCU.
 
The Wildcats return home Saturday, Feb. 25, when Bethune-Cookman welcomes Southern (La.) to Richard V. Moore Gymnasium in a game to be carried by HBCU Go at 1:30 p.m.
 
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