ITTA BENA, Miss. - Before preseason play started, Coach Walker expressed that her team's size would be their biggest challenge come SWAC play, and right before the start of conference play she lost three more players (Sawyers, Floyd, and Holoman) in addition to Smith's injury during preseason practice. However, the Devilettes kept up with Lady Braves through the first half by way of out rebounding them 19 to 18 (7 to 6 on offensive boards.)

The Devilettes got on the board in the first quarter when guard, Kristy Parker, racked up points from the free throw line followed by an offensive rebound and put back by Stormy Green. A deflection by Makayla Bonner drew a foul and brought the Devilettes within one, and Parker's aggressiveness drew three Lady Braves bodies resulting in an and-1 that sparked the Devilettes. Parker then forced an Alcorn turnover and LaKendra Bassett ended the play with a three pointer that gave the defense energy within the last two minutes of the first quarter to prevent Alcorn from scoring.

The Devilettes aggressiveness and speed was the cause of many of the fouls Alcorn committed in the second quarter, and helped them make up for the size difference. Parker and Bonner's chemistry was the scoring highlights of the first half as they both led the way with 10 points respectively. Desiray Mosley and Parker capitalized on Alcorn's fouling with their success at the free throw line that helped put up points in the second quarter. The Devilettes went into halftime tied with the Lady Braves at 34.

Although, the Devilettes scored first in the third quarter, they appeared sluggish and Alcorn went on a 7-0 run early in the quarter due to heavy turnovers. Parker ended their run with a layup but turnovers by the Devilettes ran the score and put them in an eight-point deficit.

Alcorn's scoring duo Alexus Freeman and Tia Sanders capitalized on Valley's turnovers, resulting in a 15-point gap entering the fourth quarter.

Remember there are four quarters and the game wasn't over for the Devilettes! Lead by the energy of head coach Ashley Walker, they did what they do best, fought. The Devilettes' energy, aggressiveness and heart were what lead them to eating away at the 14-point deficit in the fourth with just over three minutes left in the game.

On paper, the Devilettes were statically stronger than the Lady Braves. They outrebounded Alcorn 35-30 and took offensive boards 13-8; however, the third quarter shooting and turnovers combined with Alcorn's Freeman coming alive were what ultimately decided the game.

Senior, Makayla Bonner lead the Devilettes with 23 points and junior, Kristy Parker added 20 points, followed by junior, Desiray Mosley's 12 points and 4 steals. Parker also recorded 12 rebounds for a double-double.

Final score: 70-76 in favor of the Lady Braves. The Devilettes will be in action again at home, Monday, January 15, 2017 at the Harrison Complex as they continue their quest for a conference win against Southern with tip-off at 5:30 p.m.