MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Grambling State University women's basketball team trailed by as many at 16 points early in the third quarter, but used a big second half to complete the season sweep of Alabama State, 64-56, in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Saturday afternoon at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
Grambling State (13-16 overall, 10-8 SWAC), which shot 13 percent from the floor in the second period, fell behind 32-16 early in the third quarter before outscoring Alabama State, 50-26, in the final two periods to earn the season sweep.
The Lady Tigers struggled to find the shooting touch in the second period, going nearly seven minutes without a bucket from the field as Alabama State used a 13-0 run. The Hornets held GSU to just 2-of-15 shooting in the quarter as Alabama State outscored Grambling State, 21-4, in the frame.
However, Grambling State flipped the script in the third quarter by shooting 52.4 percent (11-of-21) and 58.3 percent (7-of-12) during the final period to earn the win.
Alexus Holt scored eight of her team-high 21 points in the first half and finished with nine rebounds, one assist and one steal. Ariel Williams added 18 points, on 6-of-9 shooting, along with four boards, three blocked shots, two steals and one assist. Justice Coleman registered 14 points, six boards, three steals and three assists.
Jayla Crawford paced Alabama State (13-14, 12-6) with a game-high 25 points, on 8-of-15 shooting, along with five boards and one assist. Symya Ward finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and one steal.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Grambling State raced out to a 6-0 start after a layup by Alexus Holt within the first four minutes of the opening period
- However, Alabama State rallied with a 6-2 run, capped by a Shmya Ward free throw, closing the gap to 8-6 with 2:13 left
- The Hornets grabbed the final three points of the frame as Grambling State took a slim 10-9 advantage into the second period
- Alabama State began the second quarter on a 14-2 run, grabbing a 23-12 advantage after back-to-back 3-pointers by Jayla Crawford with 5:32 remaining
- The Hornets got free throws by Crawford and Ward during the final two minutes as Alabama State built a 30-14 halftime lead
- Grambling State opened the second half on a 14-4 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Ariel Williams, to cut the deficit to 34-28 with 5:31 remaining
- The Lady Tigers continued to play from behind, closing the margin to 38-37 after a Williams 3-pointer with 2:42 left
- A fastbreak layup by Justice Coleman gave Grambling State its first lead since the end of the opening quarter, 39-38, with two minutes remaining
- Alabama State closed the third quarter strong with buckets by Crawford and Ward as the Hornets took a 45-41 advantage into the final period
- The Lady Tigers trailed 48-41 early in the fourth quarter, but used a furious 10-0 run after a layup by Holt to give GSU a 51-48 lead with 7:21 remaining
- A layup by Williams gave Grambling State a 53-48 advantage with 5:22 left
- However, Alabama State got free throws by Ward and Crawford, cutting the deficit to 53-51 with just under five minutes to play
- The Lady Tigers pushed the advantage to 59-52 after a Holt layup with just under three minutes left
- Grambling State sealed the game at the foul line as the Lady Tigers completed the season sweep of Alabama State
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Grambling State shot 38.5 percent (25-of-65) from the field and 60.0percent (12-of-20) from the free-throw line
- Alexus Holt registered 21 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal
- Ariel Williams tallied 18 points, four boards, three blocks, two steals and one assist
- Justice Coleman poured in 14 points, six boards, three steals and three assists.
-The Lady Tigers finished with 42 points in the paint, 24 points off 21 Alabama State turnovers, 13 fastbreak points, 12 second-chance points and four bench points
- Alabama State shot 32.7 percent (18-of-55) from the field and 64.0 percent (16-of-25) from the charity stripe
- Jayla Crawford recorded 25 points, five rebounds and one assist
- Symya Ward tallied 17 points, seven boards and one steal
-The Hornets finished with 20 points in the paint, 12 fastbreak points, 11 second-chance points, eight points off 12 Grambling State turnovers and five bench points
SWAC STANDINGS
- Grambling State entered the day tied for sixth in the standings with Prairie View A&M
- Prairie View A&M holds the tiebreaker by virtue of head-to-head victories
- A Grambling State win, along with a PVAMU loss, would secure sixth in next week's SWAC Women's Basketball Tournament
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff is currently holding the eighth spot and will remain there regardless of Grambling State's outcome
- Jackson State won the regular season title and currently sits unbeaten in conference play
- Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Southern and Texas Southern holds the second through fifth spots
- Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State have been eliminated from postseason play
UP NEXT
Grambling State returns to action on Wednesday during the quarterfinals of the SWAC Women's Basketball Tournament
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