Grambling State Lady Tigers Defeat Ole Miss, Face Tulane for Second Round of WNIT

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OXFORD, Mississippi – In dramatic fashion, with only two seconds on the clock, the Grambling State University women's basketball team held the ball to defeat the University of Mississippi, 78-75, in the Women's National Invitational Tournament. The Lady Tigers continue to make history as they pick their first post season win in a major tournament in the modern era.

With the win, GSU moves to 19-14 on the season. Ole Miss finishes their season with a record of 17-14 and is eliminated from tournament play.

In the first half of play, Grambling came out with a tenacity unmatched and put Ole Miss on the run. The Lady Tigers were able to gain a 15 point lead over the Rebels. Takerra Parsons nailed a jumper with 1:15 left in the second quarter to make the score, 43-28. The half ended with Taylor Manuel of Mississippi making a fast break jumper to set the halftime score at 45-33.

The Rebels opened the second half of play by starting quickly and trying to catch the Lady Tigers off guard. Manuel helped cut GSU's lead and tied the game, 48-48, with a lay-up at the 5:57 mark in the third quarter.

The two teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third quarter and the fourth quarter. Ole Miss's Shandricka Sessom scored a bucket to make the score, 75-72, at the 1:51 mark in the fourth quarter and put Grambling on their heels. Ten second later, Jazmine Torian turned the lights on and drained a critical three pointer to knot the game up again, 75-75. It would be John'ea Thompson who stepped up and make a mid range jumper to give the Lady Tigers the lead, 77-75. Erika Sisk of the Rebels fouled Monisha Neal who went 1-of-2 at the free throw line and sealed GSU's win.

Torian was the point leader for Grambling with her season high of 23 points. She was followed by Shakyla Hill and Neal with 17 points each. Thompson finished with 10 points. Chantiara Lewis cleaned up the boards with eight rebounds and dished out a team high 11 assists.

The Rebels were led by Manuel with 28 points and Sessom with 18 points. Shequila Joseph finished night with 11 boards and Sisk had nine assists.

Grambling will continue WNIT play on Sunday as they travel south to face Tulane University in New Orleans, La. at 4 p.m. (CT).

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GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION