State University put its five-game winning streak on the line at home against rival Jackson State University Saturday, and extended it to six as the Braves defeated the Tigers 88-80.

Braves top scorer Juan Wyatt scored 19 points in the first half to the lead the Braves offensive charge. Wyatt finished with 34 points total.

“The guys did a good job of getting Juan the Ball,” Brave head coach Sam West said.

Both teams played aggressive in the first half and endured several lead changes. Trey Johnson scored 13 points to lead the Tigers in the first half before eventually finishing with the game with 25 points.

At the break Alcorn State led Jackson State 44-41.

Things stayed close in the second half, as both teams fought to put each other away early.

Early foul trouble stalled the Braves, but the Tigers failed to capitalize on free throw opportunities. Jackson State went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to four, but that would be as close as the Tigers would get.

Patrick Horton, who finished with nine points, hit several key three pointers to keep the Braves ahead in the second half, and helped Alcorn State secure the 88-80 victory.

“Patrick Horton was the key for us tonight, he shot the cover off the ball,” West said.

Horton said after the game that he had several friends and family members in the stands that were sporting Jackson State apparel.

“It felt good to rub it in their faces,” Horton said.

West attributes the Braves’ recent win streak to the atmosphere that surrounds the team.

‘It’s a family, God fearing atmosphere. That is what it is.”

West said he knows his mother, Artimese West who got him his first coaching job at Holy Family Elementary School, is proud.

Alcorn State women 65, Jackson State 53

Alcorn State University used a late first half scoring run to help put away Jackson State University 65-53 at home Saturday night.

With three and a half minutes to go in the first half the Lady Braves led 25-20, but then went on an 11-2 scoring run, led by the Lady Braves’ top scorer Shawntawnee Collins, to close out the first half with a 36-22 lead.

The Lady Braves committed several turnovers to start the second half, and the Lady Tigers capitalized on several turnovers to cut into the Alcorn State lead early in the second half.

Despite early turnover problems, the Lady Braves bounced back as Jackson State failed to find answer for Collins as she finished the game with 25 points total.

LaSheree Christian led the Lady Tigers with 21 points, but her best efforts along with the Lady Tigers fell short as the Lady Braves won 65-53 at home.