TULSA, Okla. — The Grambling State University women’s basketball team edged out Oral Roberts University with a nail-biting 93-91 win in the first round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) Thursday night at the Mabee Center.
The game’s turning point came from sophomore guard Jazmyne Jackson, who nailed a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, pushing GSU (23-9 overall, 15-3 SWAC) ahead for good. Jackson topped the scoring for her team with 21 points, grabbed a rebound, and dished out an assist. She was one of five Lady Tigers to hit double digits in points.
Amanda Blake pulled off a double-double, scoring 14 points, snagging 13 rebounds, and stealing the ball twice. Jordyn Carter scored 17 points, while Douthshine Prien and Kahia Warmsley contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Both teams were on fire, with GSU hitting over half their shots at a 54.2 percent clip (39-of-72), and ORU wasn’t far behind, making 45.6 percent of their attempts (36-of-79).
CLUTCH! @Jazzy2x1 with the dagger tonight!#GramFam | #ThisIsTheG | #ChampionshipTalk🐯🏆 pic.twitter.com/RRxpUw8QPb
— Grambling State University Women's Basketball (@GSU_WBK) March 22, 2024
The game started tight, with Grambling State slightly trailing 22-20 after the first quarter. Oral Roberts tried to pull away with a 10-0 run, leading 32-20 with a bit over six minutes until halftime. But GSU cut that lead down to six points by the break, trailing 47-41.
Coming out of halftime with a burst of energy, the Lady Tigers kicked off with a 10-3 run, capped by a Prien layup for a 51-50 lead a bit over halfway through the third quarter. The rest of the quarter saw both teams exchanging leads, tied at 67-67.
The final quarter was just as tight, with the lead swinging back and forth. It all came down to Jackson’s three-pointer, giving GSU a 91-89 lead with just 22 seconds left. After ORU missed their next shot, Blake grabbed the rebound and passed to Warmsley, who got fouled and sealed the deal with two free throws.
Oral Roberts’ top scorers were Taleyah Jones and Ruthie Udoumoh, each with 22 points, and Udoumoh also grabbed a double-double with 13 rebounds.
Grambling will head to Monroe, La. Monday to face the University of Louisiana-Monroe in the WNIT’s second round. The game’s set for a 6 p.m. start at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
