Grambling, La. (Women's basketball)- The three-headed monster of Grambling State University Lady Tigers Shakyla Hill, Jazmin Boyd and Monisha Neal aggressive play pushed the Southern University Lady Jaguars to their limit. Unfortunately, Grambling came just shy of besting their in-state rival by dropping the game, 71-68, to Southern.

Southern (4-10, 2-1 SWAC) escaped the Lady Tigers clutches making Grambling State's first season head coach Fred Murray first home conference game bitter sweet. Murray and Company's aggressive defense tallied 11 steals, Hill finished with a game high three steals and the Lady Jaguars committed 21 turnovers to Grambling State's 10.

Hill led all scorers with 22 points, five assists and six rebounds. Boyd added 18 points, four rebounds and two assists. Neal contributed 16 points, four rebounds and two steals.

In the second quarter, the Lady Tigers (4-7, 2-1 SWAC) erased a nine-point deficit with a 12-0 run, capped off with a Neal jumper, Lady Tigers led 32-29. Behind 29-20, Grambling State used their free throw shooting and longball shooting to claw their way back. Boyd and Neal both made 2-of-2 from the line to cut the Lady Jaguars led to 29-24. Boyd drilled consecutive longballs to take the lead 30-29.

In the fourth, Hill lived up to her nick name the "Thrill Hill" thrilling the crowd with eight fourth quarter points, and two amazing saves. She also had four free throws in the period, ending 4-of-6 and shot 50 percent from the field in the game.

Hill deflected a lazy Lady Jaguars pass and went to the rack. She made two at the lane and GSU led 64-63. Hill from the left wing nearly lost her dribble, she drove the lane slipped through  two defenders, faked a pass and finished with her right giving GSU a led 67-66. Southern would close out the game on a 5-1 run.

The Lady Jags were led by Maiya Crowder with 20 points. Crowder was followed by Samantha Duncan with 13 points and Courtnei Purnell with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Purnell also led the team in assists with five for the night.

Grambling will be back in action on Monday, Jan. 9 in the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center as they face Alcorn State University. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.