from the Southwestern Athletic Conference:
MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Shmya Ward posted her fourth double-double this season, leading Alabama State to a 69-61 victory over Grambling State Wednesday afternoon at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
Ward finished with a game-high 19 points and a team-high 10 rebounds for Alabama State (5-1, 5-1 SWAC), shooting 46.7 (7-for-15) percent from the floor and 71.4 (5-for-7) percent from the free throw line in the win. She was joined in double figures by Tyesha Rudolph with 18 points (with three three-pointers) off the bench and Ayana Emmanuel with 13 points and three steals.
After trailing by 10 at the end of the first quarter, 25-15, Alabama State was able to chip away at the lead before the half and trailed just 38-32. The Lady Hornets took the lead in the third quarter before pulling away on a 19-6 run in the fourth quarter for the final margin.
The Lady Hornets finished the day shooting 41.1 (23-for-56) percent from the floor while also connecting on 46.7 (7-for-15) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the day shooting 72.7 (16-for-22) percent from the free throw line while winning the rebounding battle 41-27.
Alabama State dished out 13 assists to the 23 baskets made in the contest and forced 18 turnovers by Grambling State.
Meanwhile, Alexus Holt finished with 17 points for Grambling State (4-5, 3-2 SWAC), and Justice Coleman added 15 in the loss. Leah Morrow added 14 points, while Jasmine Forte finished with 11 rebounds and nine blocked shots.
Grambling State finished the contest shooting 40.4 (23-for-57) percent from the floor and just 20.0 (4-for-20) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the day shooting 64.7 (11-for-17) percent from the free throw line.
