Once again defense proved to be the winning edge as the Alabama State women's basketball team will face Southern U. in the SWAC Toyota Championship game Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
 
"I say this all the time that defense steers the offense," Freda Freeman-Jackson said.  "We made adjustments and played man-to-man defense and I thought our girls did a really great job of playing defense.  We ended up running our defense and turning it into offense."
 
This will make ASU's eighth appearance in the SWAC Championship game. Prior to the 2015 season the last time was during the 2009-2010 season. This will be ASU's seventh time under the Freeman-Jackson era. 
 
For the second time in less than a week ago ASU has had to face a tough #4 seeded Grambling team, but on the strong efforts of Britney Wright, (14 pts, 13 rebounds), Ashanti Spencer (14 pts.), and Daniele Ewert (11 pts.) the number one-seeded team will continue its journey after a 64-50 victory, in semifinal action.
 
"Ewert is doing a really good job of being a play-maker," Freeman-Jackson said.  "She scored when we needed her to and when Britney went on a draught. "
 
Alabama State used a 10-0 run over the last five minutes of the third quarter to grab a two point lead going into the 4^th.  The Lady Hornets continued its surge as they took a 16-point lead with 5:22 left on the clock.  GSU tried to chip into the lead, but it wasn't enough as the Lady Hornets closed out with the win.
 
"Since Grambling was boxing out Britney out the whole game and she was getting frustrated I decided to sit her out for a few minutes," said Freeman-Jackson.  "We went up by two and then I put her in and everything else is history."
 
Jasmine Peeples added nine points, nine rebounds, and six blocks to the win.  Shamyiah Smith also played a big part as she scored seven points and had four assists.  Kayla Stepehns also added six points for the Lady Hornets.
 
"I told Jasmine that she needs to forget about playing the center position today and I made her a guard," said Freeman-Jackson.  "She did a heck of a job tonight, when they switched she played like a guard and moved where and when I needed her to.  She had six blocks tonight and I am really proud of her.  She played like a senior and stepped up and played a lot of minutes (34) tonight."
 
Grambling opened the game on 5-0 run, before ASU settled in as Stephens hit a jumper to place the Lady Hornets on the board.  For the next few minutes of play in the first quarter there was a back and forth scoring barrage, but the Tigers ended the quarter with a 14-8 score.
 
GSU's scoring frenzy continued through the second half taking their largest lead of the game at 11 with 4:37 left on the clock.  ASU just wouldn't bow down as they picked up the momentum after a layup and; a and-one from Ashanti Spencer.  The Lady Hornets saw the first tie of the game when they knotted with Grambling at 25-25 and 1:28 left in the first half of play.  Grambling closed the frame going into the locker room with a 30-25 lead over ASU. 
 
Grambling was led by Monisha Neal with 14 points, and Jazmine Boyd chipped in 11, while John'ea Thompson added eight.
   
The Ladies can be watched on ESPN3 on a live stream feed for the SWAC title at 2 p.m. cst.  The game will be tape delayed until 8 a.m. on Sunday morning and can be watched on ESPN.  Fans can also listen live on bamastatesports.com or get quarter by quarter updates on Twitter and Facebook.