TULSA, Okla. | In a high-scoring affair, the Grambling State women's basketball team outdueled Oral Roberts 93-91 in the opening round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) on Thursday night at the Mabee Center.
 
It was sophomore guard Jazmyne Jackson who drained a late three-pointer that gave GSU (23-9 overall, 15-3 SWAC) the lead for good in the fourth quarter. Jackson scored a team-high 21 points with a rebound and an assist. She was one of five Lady Tigers to score in double-figures. 
 
Amanda Blake notched a double-double racking up 14 points and 13 rebounds with two steals. Jordyn Carter added 17 points while Douthshine Prien and Kahia Warmsley contributed 12 and 11 points respectively. 
 
Both teams were efficient shooting the ball, with each squad shooting above 45 percent. GSU shot 54.2 percent from the field (39-of-72), while ORU connected on 45.6 percent of its shots (36-of-79). 
 
After an even first quarter that saw Grambling State behind 22-20, Oral Roberts did its best to put distance between itself and the Tigers. The Golden Eagles used a 10-0 run to build a 32-20 lead with 6:04 to go until halftime. GSU was able to slice that deficit in half heading into halftime trailing 47-41. 
 
The Lady Tigers exited the locker room with renewed energy, opening the second half on a 10-3 run capped by a Prien layup to take a 51-50 lead with 6:35 left in the third quarter. Both teams traded jabs the rest of the period and went into the fourth quarter tied 67-67. 
 
The fourth quarter was identical to the third with neither team being able to take control of the contest. It wasn't until Jackson's three-pointer with 22 seconds left gave the Lady Tigers an 91-89 lead that GSU was able to shift momentum. 
 
After a missed bucket on the other end of the court, Blake secured a rebound, passed theball to Warsmley and forced ORU to foul while in the bonus with three seconds on the clock. Warmsley sealed the game at the free throw line, sinking both shots. 
 
Oral Roberts was led offensively by Taleyah Jones and Ruthie Udoumoh who scored 22 points apiece. Udoumoh added 13 rebounds to secure a double-double.
 
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Grambling State travels to Monroe, La. to face the University of Louisiana -Monroe in the second round of the 2024 WNIT. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.