For the third straight season, the Aberdeen Lady Bulldogs are going to the Class 3A state tournament.

Aberdeen (27-6) overcame a 36-35 halftime deficit to beat Alcorn Central 80-54.

"We started going for loose balls, boxing out and fighting for rebounds," said Aberdeen coach Cloyd Garth. "That was the whole difference."

Aberdeen is going to state with its third coach in as many trips.

Aberdeen and Houston will face off tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Houston for the tournament's top seed and bye into the semifinals.

Jameika Hoskins had a game-high 34 points after scoring 33 in a win over Ripley Thursday.

Tatum Lewis had 20 for Alcorn (28-4).