Alabama State Overcomes Turnovers, Defeats Grambling State 56–50 in SWAC Tournament

Grambling State and Alabama State met in the SWAC Women’s Tournament with a trip to the semifinals on the line. The No. 6 Grambling State Lady Tigers faced the No. 3 Alabama State Lady Hornets in a high intensity matchup as both teams battled to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Both teams opened the game with strong energy and defensive pressure, but Grambling quickly ran into trouble. The Lady Tigers committed two quick turnovers in the first minute, allowing Alabama State to settle in early.

Neither team was able to find consistent success from beyond the arc early. The teams combined to shoot just 1–7 from 3-point range in the opening quarter. Grambling finished the period shooting 16.7% from deep, while Alabama State went 0–1 from the 3-point line.

Despite the perimeter struggles, Grambling found offense through Shaniah Nunn. Nunn went 2–4 from the field and was perfect at the free throw line, finishing 3–3 and scoring 7 points in the opening quarter.

Statistically, the teams were nearly even through the first period. The biggest difference came with turnovers. Alabama State committed 7 turnovers compared to 4 for Grambling.

The Lady Tigers also applied defensive pressure early, electing to run a full court press for much of the first quarter. Alabama State was able to break the press on several possessions and turn those opportunities into easy baskets.

A late offensive foul on Simpson stalled Alabama State’s final possession of the quarter, allowing Grambling to hold onto a narrow 15–14 lead at the end of the first.

Offense became harder to find in the second quarter.

Grambling endured a lengthy scoring drought and went nearly the entire period without a field goal. Alabama State also experienced its own cold stretch, going nearly 3 minutes without a point until Takaya Walters-Norman grabbed an offensive rebound and finished the putback.

That play sparked a brief surge for the Lady Hornets. Alabama State followed with a 6–0 run that included a 3-pointer from Ny’Keria Flowers, her second from beyond the arc in the game.

By the 1:28 mark of the second quarter, Grambling’s offensive struggles were clear. The Lady Tigers had scored just 4 points in the period and were shooting only 9.1% from the field.

At halftime, Grambling’s shooting numbers told the story of the first half. The Lady Tigers were shooting just 24% from the field and 9% from the 3-point line.

Turnovers remained the one area keeping Grambling within striking distance. Alabama State committed 16 turnovers in the first half, but the Lady Tigers were only able to convert those mistakes into 3 points.

Despite the miscues, Alabama State carried a 25–21 lead into halftime.

Grambling State wasted little time getting on the board to open the second half. Zaria Johnson scored a quick bucket to give the Lady Tigers early momentum, but the offense soon stalled again. Alabama State took advantage, putting together a 7–0 run over a two minute stretch.

Alanah Pooler led the surge for the Lady Hornets, scoring 5 early points during the run as Alabama State began to build separation.

Scoring remained difficult for both teams through much of the third quarter. Grambling struggled to find a rhythm offensively for more than four minutes, but the Lady Tigers eventually responded with three quick baskets. Monica Marsh accounted for two of those buckets, helping Grambling erase the deficit and tie the game 37–37 with 2:18 remaining in the period.

Moments later, Shaniah Nunn connected on an alley oop layup that tied the game again at 39–39 heading into the final quarter.

Turnovers continued to plague Alabama State throughout the third. The Lady Hornets committed 8 more turnovers in the period, though they were able to offset those mistakes by shooting 43% from the field. Grambling’s shooting improved compared to the first half, but the Lady Tigers still finished the quarter at just 29%.

Grambling’s bench played a key role in keeping the game close. Marsh provided a spark with 7 points in the quarter, while Jakilyah Esco added 5.

The Lady Tigers carried that momentum into the fourth quarter. Grambling opened the period with a quick basket as D’mya Griffin knocked down a jumper to give the Lady Tigers a 43–41 lead with 8:35 remaining.

Alabama State answered with a run of its own to reclaim the lead, setting up a tense final stretch. With 1:30 left in the game, the Lady Hornets held a narrow 52–50 advantage.

Ny’Keria Flowers delivered in a key moment, knocking down two crucial free throws to extend Alabama State’s lead to four.

Moments later, a foul by Esco sent Takaya Walters-Norman to the line. She converted both attempts, pushing the Lady Hornets’ lead to 56–50.

Grambling still had opportunities to close the gap. Esco went to the free throw line with 32 seconds remaining and a chance to cut the deficit to four, but missed both attempts.

Too many missed opportunities ultimately caught up with the Lady Tigers. Alabama State held on for the 56–50 victory, advancing in the SWAC Women’s Tournament and setting up a matchup with Arkansas Pine Bluff in the semifinal.