WBB: ALST vs. GRAM
SWAC.org
Alabama State 64, Grambling State 50
Box Score
HOUSTON, Texas – Britney Wright and Ashanti Spencer each managed 14 points in the 64-50 win over Grambling State Friday afternoon at the Toyota Center. The Lady Hornets are set to face Southern in the 2016 Toyota SWAC Basketball championship game.
With the win, the Lady Hornets are making their first back-to-back appearances in the SWAC championship game since the 2001-02 season. In fact, ALST made it three times in a row – 2001, 2002, 2003 (winning the crown in 2003).
The first half belonged to the Lady Tigers as they completed the second quarter with a five-point advantage. GRAM captured the lead early and kept it until the Lady Hornets went on an 11-point run to even the score at 25. Two points from Monisha McNeal and a three-pointer from Bre’nae Andrews allowed the Lady Tigers to pull ahead.
The Lady Hornets entered the third quarter, shutting down every GRAM attempt at scoring until Neal hit two shots to widen the point gap by seven. Nine points from Ashanti Spencer helped tied the game once again and allowed ALST to earn its first lead of the game after scoring two points from Daniele Ewert due to foul.
The Lady Hornets continued to increase their lead with back-to-back points from Spencer. A 21-point run – the longest this tournament - made the score 57-41 in favor of the Lady Hornets. ALST would continue to progress, winning the game and birthing its way into the 2016 championship game.
Wright registered a double-double, adding 13 rebounds to her resume, while Jasmine Peeples put up nine points and grabbed nine boards. Ewert also scored in double figures with 11 points.
The Lady Tigers were paced by Neal who earned 14 points as well as 11 points from Jazmine Boyd. Shakayla Hill was kept at eight points while also grabbing a team-high eight boards,