SHREVEPORT-Despite having four players reach double figure scoring, the Centenary women’s basketball team dropped its home opener to Grambling, 78-53, on Tuesday evening in the Gold Dome.
The Ladies (0-3) faced a hot-shooting Lady Tiger team to drop its third contest this season all to in-state Louisiana schools.
Grambling (1-0) went up 10-0 to open the game before sophomore Beth Alberson laid the ball up for two to put the Ladies on board. Down by 13 (22-9), Centenary used its own 11-0 run to pull within two at 24-22 with 8:12 to play in the first half.
Though, the Ladies battled an 82 (9-of-11) percent free throw and 53 (7-of-12) percent performance from behind the arch by Grambling to trail 38-31 at the half.
To open the final 20 minutes of play, junior Ashley Jackson sank one-of-two from the line to make it a six point game.
Though, Grambling responded with eight points on two treys before junior Anne Farrell would net two at the 15:40 mark to narrow it to 12.
It was 7-of-10 from deep by the Lady Tigers that made a significant difference in the late surge and large deficit that Centenary succumbed too as Grambling went up by 23 before two final free throws gave way for a 25-point win.
Centenary showed well offensively, as senior Bethany Joseph sank three treys to lead the Ladies with 13 points off the bench. Farrell contributed with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Jackson and Alberson each chipped in with 11.
Grambling fired off an impressive 14 treys led by Kiara Marshall with six for a game-high 26 points. Wymeka Randle had 14, while 12 came from the charity stripe.
The Ladies shot 29 (19-of-71) percent from the field to the Lady Tigers’ 50 (23-of-46) percent. Grambling led with 43 boards to Centenary’s 38.
Centenary will see action on Friday when it host Sam Houston State at 7:00 pm in the Gold Dome.
