Texas Southern Battles Hard But Falls Short Against Grambling

GRAMBLING, La. - TSU dropped its second straight contest as they fell to Grambling State Saturday afternoon.

In the first quarter, Texas Southern showed their determination and resilience against Grambling. Aylaisa Fantroy and Aaliyah Henderson scored early, keeping the game close. Jaida Belton and Daeja Holmes added crucial points, while the team's defense was strong with multiple steals and blocks. Courtlyn Loudermill's free throw and layup, along with Tiana Mathis's tip-in, kept the score tied at 13-13 by the end of the quarter. The team's efforts set the stage for an exciting and competitive game ahead.

In the second quarter, Texas Southern started strong with Aylaisa Fantroy scoring a layup and a free throw, pushing their lead to 16-13. Despite some missed shots and turnovers, they maintained their defensive pressure. Aaliyah Henderson added a free throw, making it 17-13. Grambling fought back, but Fantroy's consistent scoring, including a three-pointer, kept Texas Southern close. However, Grambling managed to pull ahead, ending the quarter with a 32-26 lead. Texas Southern's defense and Fantroy's efforts were key highlights, but they faced challenges in maintaining their lead.

In the third quarter, Texas Southern faced significant challenges as Grambling extended their lead. Despite Aylaisa Fantroy's early efforts, including a layup and a free throw, Texas Southern struggled with turnovers and missed opportunities. Grambling capitalized on these mistakes, scoring consistently and pulling ahead. Key moments for Texas Southern included a layup by Fantroy and a jumper by Tiana Mathis, but these were not enough to close the gap. By the end of the quarter, Texas Southern trailed 54-35, with Grambling maintaining a strong lead. The team's defense and attempts to regain control were notable, but they faced an uphill battle going into the final quarter.

In the final quarter, Texas Southern fought hard but couldn't close the gap against Grambling. Key contributors included Aylaisa Fantroy, who led the team with 14 points and 4 steals, and Treasure Thompson, who added 8 points and 4 rebounds. Jaida Belton scored 4 points and grabbed 4 rebounds, while Courtlyn Loudermill contributed 6 points and several steals. Despite their efforts, Texas Southern fell short, ending the game with a 71-46 loss. Grambling's strong performance secured their victory.

The Lady Tigers will be back in action on Thursday at home against Arkansas Pine-Bluff at 6 p.m.