Keion hayes/The Gramblinite
Monisha Neal commanding the offense.
The Grambling State University Lady Tigers (13-12, 10-4 SWAC) defeated the Jackson Sate University Lady Tigers (12-13, 6-8 SWAC) 75-61 in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center Saturday (February 20).
GSU Guard Monisha Neal led in scoring with 17 points. Bre’Nae Andrews and John’ea Thompson each had 10 points. Kierra Adams led JSU scoring with 13 points.
The GSU Lady Tigers got off to an explosive start against JSU, going on an 8-0 run.
Two 3-point shots from Chantiara Lewis and Bre’Nae Andrews gave the Lady Tigers some great momentum. The GSU Lady Tigers shot 62.5 percent from the field, and were 100 percent from the free throw line in the first quarter, giving them an early lead, 27-12.
The Lady Tigers of Grambling State continued to dominate at the start of the second quarter. They forced 13 turnovers and had four steals for the half. Guards Shakyla Hill and Monisha Neal each led with six points.
JSU pulled within eight in the third quarter, but it wasn’t long before the GSU Lady Tigers pulled away again, ending the third quarter with a 54-39 lead over JSU.
JSU’s Kierra Adams lead her team with 12 points at the end of the third.
In the fourth quarter, GSU fouls and turnovers allowed JSU to pull within nine. The Lady Tigers defense became a major factor in maintaining the lead as they forced 22 turnovers and converted 12 fast break points.
They will take on University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff February 27 at 3 p.m. in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
Tigers come close, but fall short to Jackson State at home, 61-58
The Grambling State University Tigers (6-20, 3-11 SWAC) lost by three to the Jackson State University Tigers (15-12, 10-4 SWAC) on their home court. The game ended with a strong second half effort by GSU, pulling the game within four points with only 10 seconds remaining.
Arnold Richmond led Grambling State scoring with 20 points. Deonte Hearns contributed eight points and 10 rebounds. JSU scoring was led by Raeford Worsham with 16 points.
Though GSU’s G-Men lost the game, they made a strong comeback effort. They just made too many mistakes. “We lost the game early in the second half. We turned the ball over and we came up with too many empty offensive possessions”, said GSU head coach Shawn Walker.
It was a slow start for both teams as each scored under 10 points in the first seven minutes of the half. Two 3-pointers from GSU’s Arnold Richmond put the Tigers up by five with 11 minutes to go. JSU answered with back-to-back buckets, putting them within one with seven minutes left in the half. JSU scored seven points off of GSU turnovers, giving them a three-point lead over the Tigers.
GSU remained scoreless for over three minutes until free throws by Nigel Riberio and a 3-pointer by Ervin Mitchell put the Tigers up by one. The Tigers of JSU began to pull away with a 3-pointer from Yettra Specks and back-to-back layups from Janarius Middleton and Chase Franklin. Middleton and Specks each had six points. JSU led by five at the half, 30-25.
Both teams started the second half with intensity, defensively and offensively. JSU fouls put Grambling State on the line early and brought GSU within two. Grambling State turnovers allowed JSU to stretch their lead to nine points with less than 16 minutes left. JSU shot over 50 percent from the field, leaving the Tigers behind by 13. Three-pointers from Specks and Javeres Brent kept JSU on top.
With under 10 minutes left in the game, 3-pointers from GSU’s Richmond and Riberio put the Tigers within nine. JSU had 13 second chance points to expand their lead with under eight minutes left. JSU guard Raeford Worsham converted a 3-point play, putting JSU up by 10. The Tigers struggled to score with only 12 points scored in under 10 minutes. With three minutes left in the half, JSU led by 10.
The Grambling Tigers face the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions Saturday (February 27) at 5 p.m. in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.