HUNTSVILLE, Ala. | The Grambling State University women's basketball team fell to Alabama A&M 57-53 in a back and forth battle Monday night at the AAMU Event center.

Grambling State (6-16 overall, 5-6 SWAC) started the game slowly trailing AAMU 5-0 , but a bucket by Leah Morrow started the showdown between the two teams. There were six lead changed in the first quarter. Alabama A&M (10-11, 8-3) maintained a slim 20-18 lead heading into the second frame

The Lady Tigers opened the second period with back-to-back scores, grabbing a 23-20 lead with eight minutes remaining. GSU grew its lead to 28-22 on a jumper by Colbi Maples with 2:54 left in the half. However, a 7-0 run by the Bulldogs gave AAMU a 29-28 lead heading into the break.

Neither team could gain an advantage in the third quarter as they matched each other bucket-for-bucket in the period. Both teams were tied a 41-41 heading into the fourth quarter. 

GSU took the lead early in the fourth and led for over six minutes. Despite the defensive efforts by the Lady Tigers, they couldn't fend off a late push by AAMU. Toni Grace gave the Bulldogs the lead with 44 seconds left after knocking down a pair of free throws. GSU couldn't bounce back, falling 57-53. 

Colbi Maples led Grambling State with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. Miracle Saxon registered a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Leah Morrow added nine points and 11 boards.

Amish Simmons paced Alabama A&M with 14 points and seven rebounds.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Grambling was 24-of-70 (34.3 percent) shooting and 1-of-3 (33.3 percent) from the charity stripe.
• AAMU shot 35.1 percent (20-of-57) from the field and 72.2 percent (13-of-18) from the free throw line.
• The Lady Tigers registered 40 rebounds, including 28 off the defensive glass.
• The Lady Bulldogs pulled down 47 rebounds, with 35 coming from the offensive end.
• Grambling finished with 24 points in the paint, 5 points off 14 AAMU turnovers, 4 fast break points, and six second chance points.
• AAMU produced 20 points in the paint, 13 points off 8 Grambling turnovers and four second chance points.

UP NEXT

Grambling State return to action on Saturday, Feb. 11 against Texas Southern University at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. The game is set to begin at 2 p.m. 

FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /GramblingStateTigers1901 (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.