Grambling State University Athletics

LAKE CHARLES, La. | The Grambling State women's basketball team mounted a fourth-quarter comeback attempt but came up short in a 56-51 road loss to McNeese on Thursday night at Townsley Law Arena.

The Lady Tigers (0-2) outscored McNeese 16-8 in the fourth quarter and made a late push to get back into the contest. However, the Cowgirls (2-0) converted key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

Angel Wilkinson led Grambling State with 20 points, connecting on 10 of 13 attempts from the free-throw line. She also added four rebounds and two steals. Da'Naya Ross finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Princess Anderson contributed seven points and three steals.

Eve Fiala added four points and seven rebounds, while Aeris Macon grabbed six boards. GSU finished with 50 rebounds, including 17 offensive rebounds, and recorded 11 steals.

Grambling State opened the game with a competitive first quarter, holding a 12-11 advantage after Wilkinson knocked down a 3-pointer. McNeese responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Lady Tigers 18-12 to take a 31-24 lead into halftime.

The Cowgirls continued to build their advantage in the third quarter, taking a 48-35 lead into the final period.

The Lady Tigers began chipping away at the deficit in the fourth. Anderson helped spark the comeback, and her free throws with 7:32 remaining brought Grambling State within six, 48-42.

Ross converted two free throws to make it 51-44 before Anderson went to the line and connected on both attempts to cut the deficit to five, 51-46, with 3:51 remaining.

Wilkinson continued to lead the charge, converting four late free throws, including two with 22 seconds remaining, to pull the Lady Tigers within three at 54-51. McNeese answered at the free-throw line in the closing seconds to preserve the five-point victory.

McNeese was led by Valencia Fontenelle-Posson and Matilde Motta, who scored 14 points apiece. Avari Berry added 11 points, four assists and four steals.

GSU finished the contest shooting 23.2% from the field and 11.1% from 3-point range, while converting 23 of 32 attempts at the free-throw line. McNeese shot 33.3% from the floor and 32% from beyond the arc.

UP NEXT
Grambling State travels to Madison, Wis. to take on the Univerisity of Wisconsin on Sunday, Nov. 8. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at teh Kohl Center and will be streamed on Big Ten Network+. 

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