By Josh Elder, Grambling State Athletics Intern; featured photo by Marcus Plummer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — No. 2 seed Grambling State advanced to the semifinals of the SWAC tournament with a 66-60 victory over No. 7 Florida A&M Wednesday.
This victory secures the first postseason win for head coach Courtney Simmons. Also, The Lady Tigers (22-8) improved their winning streak to 11 games.
GSU used stifling defense to disrupt FAMU’s offensive flow, causing 23 turnovers, 13 of which were steals.
Anijah Grant was a force down low for Grambling State, scoring a team 14 points. She also had seven rebounds with a block and a steal. Jordyn Carter scored 12 points.
Trailing 16-13 with 3:17 left in the first quarter, GSU closed the period on a 6-0 run to take a 19-16 into the second period. Carter led the way scoring 7 points shooting 3-of-3 from the field and knocking down a 3-pointer. GSU’s defense also forced 6 turnovers in the first quarter.
The Lady Tigers continued its run in the second quarter, expand their lead to 25-16 on a jumper by Tiana Gardner. Grambling State led 34-28 at the break.
Although FAMU was able to get close, the Lady Tigers never trailed again. With GSU ahead 59-53 and 3:36 remaining, a free throw by Nashani Gilbert and a 3-pointer from Ivet Subirats trimmed Grambling’s lead down to 59-57 with 2:33 left. GSU used a 6-1 run, growing its lead to 65-58 with 32 seconds to play.
FAMU’s Ahriana Grizzle lead the Rattlers with a game-high 16 points with five assists, a rebound and a steal.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Grambling State shot 26-of-66 (39.4 percent) from the field, 1-of-11(9.1 percent) from 3-point range and 13-of-14 (92.9 percent) from the free throw line.
- Florida A&M shot 23-of-61(37.7 percent) from the field, 4-of-14 (28.6 percent) from 3-point range and 10-of-16 (62.5 percent) from the free throw line.
- The Lady Tigers forced 23 turnovers.
- GSU scored 38 points in the paint, 29 bench points 20 points off turnovers.
- FAMU 34 points in the paint, 16 second chance points, 14 bench points, five fast break points and six points off 11 turnovers.
UP NEXT
The Lady Tigers awaits the winner of Thursday’s contest between No. 3 Southern and No 6. Alcorn State. GSU returns to the court on Friday at 11 a.m. inside Bartow Arena.
