JONESBORO, Ark. | The Grambling State University women's basketball team kept pace with Arkansas State for much of the contest, but couldn't withstand a fourth quarter surge from the Red Wolves, suffering a 79-66 defeat on Thursday evening at Convocation Center.

Phylicia Allen led the Lady Tigers with 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field. She added three rebounds a two assists to her tally. 

Leah Morrow notched a double-double for the GSU, scoring 10 points while snagging 10 rebounds. She also registered four assists and one steal. 

As a team, Grambling State (1-9) put forth is best offensive effort of the season, shooting a season-high 47.5 percent, going 28-of-59. 

After Arkansas State built to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter, Grambling State settled down, trimming the deficit to 21-15 by the end of the period

In the second period, the Red Wolves quickly grew its advantage to 10, leading 29-19 with 7:04 to go until the half. 

The Lady Tigers embarked on a quick 9-0 run, sparked by a 3-pointer by Jurnee McLaurin. 

After McLaurin's trey, Amanda Blake scored a layup, followed by a pair of threes from Colbi Maples and McLaurin. Miracle Saxon capped the run with two free throws, pulling GSU within one point, 29-28, with 4:25 left in the half.

ASU ended the half with 5-0 run of its own to carry a 34-28 lead into the break. 

Both teams battled each other shot-for-shot in the third quarter. 

With the Red Wolves up 45-41, Maples splash another three-ball, pulling GSU within one at the 4:48 mark. After Arkansas State's Leilani Augmon knocked down a shot from behind the arch, Tiana Gardner drove to the basket to make the score 47-46. The Red Wolves held onto a 55-48 advantage going into the final quarter of play. 

The Lady Tigers couldn't find its footing in the fourth period, falling behind by as many as 15 midway through the frame. GSU was able to the trim the deficit back to single-digits, 73-65, with 2:46 to go, but couldn't close the gap any further, falling 79-66. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Grambling State shot 47.5 percent from the field (28-of-59), connecting on 31.6 percent (6-of-19) of its three-point attempts. The Lady Tigers went 4-of-8 ( 50.0 percent) at the free throw line.
• Arkansas State hoisted 70 shots, sinking 30 (42.9 percent). The Red Wolves went 9-of-28 (32.1 percent) from three-point range and 10-of-12 (83.3 percent) on free throws.
• ASU held a 37-36 rebounding advantage
• The Red Wolves outscored GSU in the paint 30-28
• Arkansas State scored 22 points off turnovers. Grambling State scored 10
• GSU's bench outscored ASU's 27-24

UP NEXT 
Grambling State heads to Fort Worth, Texas to warp up non-conference play versus TCU on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at Schollmaier Arena.

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