FINAL BOX
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Rachele Dobbins and Keniqua Wyche scored 13 points each to lead Grambling State to a 58-48 win over Alabama State University.
GSU jumped out to a 12-2 lead in the first 13 minutes of the game, but ASU was able to get its offense going and outscored the visitors 26-16 over the final seven minutes of the half to go into the locker room even at 28.
Neither team was able to pull away over the first seven minutes of the second half. ASU's Tamara Waldington hit a basket at the 13:21 mark to even the score at 35.
From there GSU went on a 13-0 run over the next six minutes with two Aricia Mitchell free throws at the 6:16 mark giving GSU its biggest lead at 48-35.
ASU went on a 6-1 scoring run, closing the lead to 49-41 on a
Tanika Jackson layup with 3:16 left in the game, but that would be as close as ASU would get.
The biggest story of the night was Jackson being held to 10 points and nine rebounds for ASU. She entered the contest as leading the SWAC in scoring averaging 19.4 points per contest. The Lady Hornets could not find a replacement to step up while Jackson struggled from the field only hitting three of her 10 field goal attempts.
“Grambling did a nice job of doubling and triple teaming Tanika tonight”. Head coach
Freda Freeman-Jackson stated. “We are expecting teams to do that to her but we have to make shots so we don't continue to struggle”.
The loss drops the lady hornets to 3-9 overall and 0-2 in the SWAC. Grambling improved to 5-8 and 1-1 in the conference.
Turnovers once again plagued ASU as they committed 20, allowing the lady tigers to score 15 points off of them.
“Turning the ball over is one thing, but we must get back on defense when we commit turnovers”. Coach Jackson said.
Waldington scored nine points for ASU. Meanwhile,
Jasmine Quinn and Yashindra Edwards chipped in six and five points respectively.
The Lady Hornets next two contest will be on the road as they will face Arkansas Pine-Bluff Saturday at 3 p.m. and Mississippi Valley State on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
-HORNETS-
