Prairie View, Texas--- Lessaiz le bon temps rouller….The Lady Tigers of Grambling State celebrated Mardi Gras early with a stunning 68-65 win over the league leading Lady Panthers of Prairie View A&M before a crowd of 1,998 in the PVU William Nicks Building.
In the first half the Lady Tigers took a 6-2 lead in the opening three minutes. Prairie View would work their way into the game and take a brief 8-6 lead at the 16:02 mark. The teams would exchange early leads twice more with Grambling claiming the lead 14-12 with 13:26 remaining and would maintain it throughout the half and take it 32-30 into the break.
For the half the Lady Tigers shot 50-percent from the floor while holding Prairie View to 43-percent shooting. Grambling held a 17-13 advantage on the boards and had created 11 Lady Panthers turnovers, while recording seven steals.
In the second half the Lady Panthers came out strong taking a 34-32 lead. The Lady Tigers would keep it close eventually taking the lead for good at 59-5 with 3:10 remaining. The Lady Tigers finished the game shooting 51-percent from the floor while out rebounding their opponent 32-25.
Grambling (10-12, 7-6 SWAC) was led by Jacsher Blocker with 21 points and four rebounds. Kiara Marshall and Kristen Harper had nine points each, while Secrett Anderson added six points and six rebounds.
The Lady Panthers (13-8, 10-2 SWAC) was led by Dominique Smith’s game highs 31 points and eight rebounds. Candice Thomas added 12 points.
The Lady Tigers will return to action Saturday afternoon when they return home to host the Lady Tigers of Jackson State University at 3:00 PM.
-GSU-