ITTA BENA, Miss. – North Alabama shot 50 percent from 3-point range in the second half to overtake Mississippi Valley State by a score of 86-72 in the Devilettes' home-opener Monday.
 
Kristy Parker scored 15 points to lead four Valley players in double-figures during Monday's hard-fought contest. Nyla Smith chipped in 13 points and five rebounds while shooting 6-of-7 from the floor.
 
The Devilettes also got contributions from their bench, as Sydnie Ward scored 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Erin Smith also came off the bench for 12 points; Ward and Smith each went 3-for-5 from 3-point range.
 
North Alabama's Ivy Wallen scored a game-high 33 points, which included a 7-of-12 showing from 3-point range. Her teammate Darby Madden scored 15 points by shooting 5-of-7 from the floor – all 3-point attempts.
 
As a team, the visiting Lions (9-1) made nine out of their 18 3-point attempts after halftime. They were 6-of-12 from the arc in the third quarter.
 
The Devilettes (1-9) claimed momentum in the second quarter, as they used a 12-2 run to turn a five-point deficit into a five-point lead between the 5:17 and 1:20 marks. Smith sparked the run with back-to-back 3-pointers that gave Valley a 29-28 lead with 4:23 left to play.
 
Valley committed fewer turnovers (16) than North Alabama, which committed 24 turnovers in the game. The Lions had given the ball away 18 times prior to halftime, which helped the Devilettes build a 37-34 lead halftime lead.
 
LaKendra Bassett scored eight points and pulled in a team-high eight rebounds for Mississippi Valley State.
 
The Devilettes will return to action after Christmas when they travel to Tennessee–Martin on Dec. 29. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.