For the first time in SWAC play this season, the Grambling State Lady Tigers didn’t have to sweat out a last second shot as they defeated Alcorn State 51-44 in conference action on Monday night in the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
Alcorn State (3-21, 2-9 SWAC) used a 10-3 run in the middle of the first half to take an early 21-14 advantage. Grambling State (7-14, 5-6 SWAC) managed to overcome the ASU surge and picked up the pace on both ends of the court as they held ASU scoreless over the final 3:46 en route to a 23-22 halftime deficit.
The Lady Tigers took their first lead (29-27) of the second half at the 17:16 mark after a layup by Whitney Brown. Alcorn State tied it at 29-all several seconds later but GSU once again turned up the heat as they put together an 11-1 run for a 40-30 advantage with 9:13 left on the clock. The Lady Tigers managed to hold on to their double digit margin for nearly four minutes but ASU fought back over the next eight minutes and closed to within two at 46-44 behind the strength of a 16-4 run.
With 48 seconds left and GSU holding a two-point lead, Grambling’s Ashley Cooper came up big on the defensive end with a blocked shot and the ensuing rebound to give GSU possession of the ball. Point guard Rachele Dobbins was fouled several seconds later and gave the Lady Tigers some much-needed breathing room as she drained two big free throws with 42 seconds left. ASU missed back-to-back three pointers on their next two possessions which allowed GSU to take advantage at the charity stripe as Dobbins and Gabrielle Fleming nailed 3-of-4 free throws to seal the game.
Kristen Harper led GSU with 11 points while Fleming and Dobbins both added eight points. Dobbins was also a force on the boards with six rebounds in addition to dishing out three assists.
Grambling returns to action on Saturday evening with a match-up against Prairie View A&M at 5:30 p.m. in the Assembly Center .
