Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications
The Grambling State University women’s basketball team had four players score in double-figures, but a fourth quarter rally by Florida Gulf Coast sank GSU’s hope for victory, as the Lady Tigers lost 73-67 on the final day of the Rainbow Wahine Showdown on Sunday afternoon.
Grambling State (1-7), which led by as many as seven points in the second half, was led offensively by Phylicia Allen’s season-high 16 points, along with five rebounds.
Colbi Maples continued to have a hot hand for the Lady Tigers, posting 15 points with two rebounds and one assist. Leah Morrow contributed 13 points and a game-high six steals. Jurnee McLaurin finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals.
Miracle Saxon dominated the boards for GSU, snagging a season and game-high 13 rebounds, to go along with four points and two assists.
After a tightly contested first half, GSU held a 35-34 lead going into halftime. With the Lady Tigers leading, 38-36, Grambling State embarked on a 7-2 run, highlighted by five points from Allen, extending its advantage to 45-38 with 5:44 to go in the third quarter.
Florida Gulf Coast (6-1) briefly took a 51-50 lead, but a free throw by Maples in the closing moments of the period, tied the game a 51-51 heading in the fourth.
The turning point of the contest was FGCU’s ability to get to the free-throw line and convert. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles went 10-of-11 from the charity stripe. Florida Gulf Coast claimed the its first lead of the period, 59-58, on a pair of free throws by Kaela Webb with 5:17 to play. Webb put the Eagles up 61-58 when she knocked two free throws.
After a 3-pointer by Maples tied the game at 61-61 with 3:49 remaining, FGCU’s Aliza Winston worked her way to the free-throw line, sinking both attempts, putting the Eagles on top for good, 63-61.
GSU wasn’t able to get back on track, falling 73-67.
