LORMAN, Miss. – Bethune-Cookman received 16 points from Asianae Nicholson on Monday afternoon, as the Wildcats dropped a 68-58 decision away to Alcorn State in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Basketball play at the Davey L. Whitney Complex in Lorman, Mississippi.
 

FIRST QUARTER
Alcorn (5-13, 3-4 SWAC) never trailed, building an early 9-0 behind early shooting struggles from the visitors.
 
The game started slowly for both teams, with Alcorn State holding a slim 9-4 lead after the first quarter. The Braves shot just 18.2 percent (2-11) while Bethune-Cookman (6-13, 3-4 SWAC) struggled shooting from the field, connecting on just 8.3 percent (1-12) of their attempts in the opening period.
 
SECOND QUARTER
Alcorn outscored the Wildcats 20-16 in the second quarter, extending their lead to 29-20 at halftime.
 
The quarter was marked by improved offensive efficiency from both teams after a low-scoring first period. B-CU shot 63.6 percent from the floor, as the Cats scored eight points in the paint and used 10 points off the bench. Camerah Langston provided a spark off the bench, scoring seven points including her first three-pointer of the season and going a perfect 2-for-2 at the fere throw line in the period.
 
THIRD QUARTER
Bethune-Cookman got going in the third quarter after falling behind 36-28 with 6:13 remaining in the stanza.
 
The Wildcats went on a 6-0 run with the help of Cassandra Hawthorne pushing her way to the basket for a layup, as well as Asianae Nicholson putting back a Hawthorne miss off the glass to bring the Maroon and Gold to within 36-30. The lead became just two (36-34) when Hawthorne sank a pair of free throws with 4:01 showing on the clock.
 
Burt it would be the Braves once again answering and extending the lead out to eight when Dalayja Hurt-Floyd hit a pair of free throws, and All-SWAC performer Destiny Brown put in two of her eight points in the game to push the Alcorn lead at 45-37. B-CU used a Janessa Kelley jumper in the paint to cut the lead to 47-41 at the end of the quarter.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
Alcorn gradually extended its advantage, leading by as many as 12 points late in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats were forced into eight turnovers during the period, as the Braves turned those into 10 points. Nicholson scored six points in the period, connecting on both shots from the field and from the free throw line.
                                


The difference on the day came at the free throw line, where Alcorn attempted 36 free throws to Bethune-Cookman's 20.
 
Nakia Cheatham finished with a game-high 19 points and six rebounds, adding two blocks in the game. Also touching double digits was Kiarra Henderson with 14 points and six steals.
 
Bethune-Cookman used 16 points and nine rebounds from Nicholson, as the Ohio native finished 6 of 7 from the field and 4-for-4 from the foul line. Kelley and Langston each totaled nine points apiece as well.
 


Bethune-Cookman next hosts Alabama A&M in a SWAC contest on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m.
 
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