Lady Tigers open SWAC Tournament at Grambling State

GRAMBLING, La. – The Lady Tigers of Texas Southern University will look to extend their season Tuesday when they open play at the 2019 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament.
 
Texas Southern (15-14, 11-7 SWAC) claimed the No. 5 seed in the tournament and will face No. 4-seeded Grambling State in the opening round. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
The Lady Tigers aim to reverse their fortunes against Grambling State (15-15, 12-6 SWAC), which swept the two conference games from Texas Southern this season. TSU fell 75-67 to Grambling at home, and then fell 72-55 to Grambling in Louisiana.
 
TSU is led by forward Niya Mitchell, who averages 14.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. The junior from Bay City, Texas, led the conference in rebounding this season.
 
Marquia Turner provides a spark off the TSU bench; the graduate transfer from Xavier averages 11.5 points per game. She can drive inside for points or shoot from the perimeter, as she leads the Lady Tigers in 3-point shooting (49 of 128, 38.3 percent).
 
Shakyla Hill leads Grambling State in both scoring (18.7 points per game) and rebounding (7.6 rebounds per contest).
 
The winner of Tuesday's game will head to Birmingham for the semifinal round Friday.