By Josh Elder, Grambling State Athletics Intern
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Grambling State closed the regular season on a winning note, defeating Alabama State 52-47 Saturday afternoon at Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
Grambling State (21-8 overall, 15-3 SWAC) defeated Alabama State (3-26 overall, 3-15 SWAC) in a back-and-forth matchup that saw both teams go on huge runs throughout.
GSU got things going early, sprinting to an 8-0 within the first three minutes of the contest.
Trailing 10-6, Alabama State went on a 20-2 run in the first quarter led by Cordasia Harris and Justina Graham. The Tigers were able to stop the bleeding in the second quarter, cutting the deficit down to six points, 27-21, headed into the halftime break.
Grambling State was dominant in the third period outscoring the Hornets 22-6 to carry a 43-33 lead into the final period. Demya Young scored seven straight points to close out the quarter. She led GSU with 13 points, three rebounds and two steals.
Alabama State did try to make things interesting down the stretch, trimming GSU’s double-digit lead down to two points, 49-47, with 45 seconds to play. However, that was as close as the Hornets would get as the Tigers salted the game away at the free throw line.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Grambling State shot 20-of-61 (32.8 percent) from the field 2-of-13 (15.4 percent) from the three-point line and 10-of-13 (76.9 percent) from the free throw line.
- Anijah Grant also scored in double-figures with 12 points with seven boards, a block and a steal.
- Alabama State shot 19-of-58 (32.8 percent) from the field 6-of-28 (21.4 percent) from the three-point line and 3-of-4 (75 percent) from the free throw line.
- GSU outrebounded ASU 46-34.
- The Tigers scored 26 points in the paint, 24 bench points, 12 fastbreak points, 12 second chance points and 16 points off 17 turnovers,
- The Hornets 20 points in the paint, 19 bench points, 10 second chance points, two fastbreak points and 13 points off 19 turnovers
UP NEXT
Grambling State gears up for the 2024 SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament set to begin on Wednesday, March 13 at Bartow Arena. The Tigers, who earned the No. 2 seed, will face No. 7 seed Florida A&M on Wuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. on ESPN+.