Ariel Williams drives past a Prairie View A&M defender. RAVEN LEDAY/ The Gramblinite
The Grambling State University women’s basketball team had a successful stretch over the past week, posting back-to-back wins.
TSU vs. GSU
Three players scored in double figures as the Lady Tigers triumphed over their opponents, Texas Southern University, 72-55, in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup Saturday, Feb. 16 in Grambling.
Both teams stayed in close range as GSU (11-13 overall, 8-4 SWAC) led 19-18 after the first quarter.
Texas Southern outscored GSU 21-9 in the third quarter but ultimately could not overcome the deficit.
Shakyla Hill rallied up 15 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals. Jazmin Boyd finished with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists. Justice Coleman added 15 points, four rebounds and one assist in the effort.
The trio had the hot hand all night leading their team to a season sweep against the Texas Southern Lady Tigers.
The first one since their 2010-2011 basketball season.
“I love how we get to see something that we have never seen before at a school like ours,” senior biology major Atiya Williams, who was in the crowd, said.
Grambling alum Armani Wilkes said the season has been a pleasure to watch so far.
“It’s so exciting seeing a SWAC team get recognized for ground breaking things. They don’t always show us love in this conference,” Wilkes said, specifically in reference to the recent second legendary quadruple double by Shakyla Hill that was recognized all over the United States.
Prairie View A&M vs. GSU
Grambling State (12-13 overall, 9-4 SWAC) held a narrow, 19-15 lead after one quarter before relinquishing the lead to Prairie View after the Lady Panthers went of a 19-9 run in the second quarter to take a 34-28 advantage into the half.
The Lady Tigers responded coming out the half forcing the Lady Panthers into ten third quarter turnovers to take a 50-46 advantage going into the final period after two free throws by Jazmin Boyd with 0.4 seconds remaining in the third period.
GSU secured the victory on an Ariel Williams layup and a plus one free throw after being fouled with one minute remaining.
The final score was 73-57. Shakyla Hill finished with 19 points, on 8-of-19 shooting, ten rebounds and four assists, while Jazmin Boyd registered 18 points, five boards and one steals. Ariel Williams added 11 points, while Jasmine Forte posted a double-double with ten points and ten rebounds.