March 12, 2008

Birmingham, Ala. - All season long, the Alabama State Lady Hornets had beaten the odds.

Freda Freeman-Jackson's squad survived a rash of injuries and won four of their last five games to clinch the eighth and final spot in the SWAC tournament.

However, in their first round game against top-seeded Prairie Vew, ASU's limited squad simply couldn't overcome the talented, deep Panther and were eliminated 74-57.

Senior Shantae Robinson tried to carry her young teammates as she had ten points and three assists in the first half. But that wasn't enough to offset Shavonne Smith's 25 points before halftime.

ASU trailed 40-31 going into the locker room.

The Lady Hornets cut the lead to six, before the bench strength of their opponents simply wore them down.

Robinson finished with 17 points in the final game of her ASU career. Shanice Merritt added 12, while LaShundreya Townsend added.

ASU finished the season 12-18. But, with the experience young players gained this season and the return of those that were injured, next year appears bright for the Lady Hornets.