GRAMBLING, La. | A combined 31 points were scored between Deja McKinney and Jasmine Torian, but it wouldn't be enough as the Grambling State University women's basketball team fell to 17^th-ranked Florida State 96-53 on Sunday afternoon in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
 
"We knew it was going to be a tough game from start to finish, " Grambling State head coach Freddie Murray said. "We schedule these type of games for a reason. We know that we can play at this level. The area that we're strengthening in right now is our inside game."
 
The Lady Tigers (1-3) were down by seven after one quarter and 49-37 at the break. Grambling State attempted to close the gap after halftime but shot 10 percent (2-of-20) and were outscored, 26-6, in the third quarter as Florida State built a 75-43 advantage.
 
McKinney, who came off the bench, led Grambling State with 17 points, on 6-of-15 shooting, and added two rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Torian registered 14 points, two boards, one assist, one block and one steal. Shakyla Hill chipped in 10 points and tallied three assists, three steals and two rebounds.
 
Imani Wright paced six Seminole players in double figures with 22 points, seven rebounds and a pair of assists.  Shakyal Thomas tallied 18 points, on 7-of-11 shooting, with eight boards, while Nicki Ekhomu posted 17 points and seven rebounds. AJ Alex registered a double-double of 10 points and a game-high 11 assists, along with seven steals, and Nausia Woolfolk chipped in with 10 points and eight rebounds.
 
Turning Point
Although Grambling State was only down by six at halftime, the Lady Tigers were unable to regain the momentum they needed to close the gap.
 
Florida State (4-0) turned a six-point lead into a 25-point advantage (62-37) four minutes into the third quarter when Thomas scored on a putback.
 
The Seminoles extended the advantage to 71-40 after a Savannah Wilkinson bucket with 2:39 remaining in the third and Florida State took a 75-43 lead into the final quarter.
 
Inside the Numbers
* Grambling State shot 32.8 percent (19-of-58) from the floor and 60 percent (9-of-15) from the free-throw line.
* Florida State was 47.9 percent (35-of-73) shooting and 17-of-21 (81 percent) from the charity stripe.
* The Lady Tigers finished with 28 rebounds, including 17 on the defensive end.
* The Seminoles tallied 53 rebounds, including 30 off the defensive glass.
* Grambling State scored 20 points in the paint, 15 off turnovers and had 26 bench points.
* Florida State tallied 46 points in the paint, 18 off turnovers and had 18 bench points.
* There were two ties and four lead changes.
 
News & Notes
* Grambling State entered the game off a 72-67 loss to Xavier.
* Florida State entered the game ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press Top 25.
* The matchup was the second in the series as Florida State now leads, 2-0.
* Sunday's game was Church and Community Day at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
 
Up Next
The Lady Tigers will travel to Lake Charles, La. to take on McNeese State on Wednesday Nov. 22. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
 
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