(1) Jackson State vs (8) Grambling State | 2023 SWAC Tournament: Quarterfinals | 3.8.23

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.| The Jackson State women's basketball team went into the halftime break tied at 29 with Grambling State, but took control in the second half to beat GSU 59-50 at Bartow Arena Wednesday evening in its Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) quarterfinals matchup.
Jackson State had three players score in double figures, led by Jariyah Covington, who had 19 points. Daphane White tacked on a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Daja Woodard chipped in as well with a double-double from the bench with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Woodard pulled down six offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Jackson State, grabbing 13 boards and turning them into eight second chance points.
The JSU defense held Grambling State's shooters to just 25.9 percent from the field, including 16.7 percent from three-point range. JSU also held GSU's Miracle Saxon to 3-of-13 shooting and nine points in the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jackson State (21-8, 18-1 SWAC) went on a 6-0 run with 2:16 left in the first quarter to take a 15-14 lead after falling behind 14-9 at the beginning of the game.
JSU then surrendered its lead and entered the second quarter down 16-15.
Grambling State 10-20, 9-10 SWAC) kept adding to that lead, building a 20-17 advantage before Jackson State went on a 5-0 run to take a 22-20 lead.
JSU then battled back to even it up at 29-29 heading into halftime.
Jackson State saw non-starters score five of its 14 total points off the bench in the quarter.
After the half, Grambling State snatched a 33-31 lead before Jackson State answered back by going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a three from Ti'Ian Boler, to grab a 38-33 lead with 3:42 to go in the third.
Before the third period was over, Jackson State added two points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 45-38 edge.
Jackson State kept its lead intact before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by White's layup, to grow the lead to 57-43 with 2:18 to go in the contest.
GSU narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but Jackson State still cruised the rest of the way for the 59-50 win.
Jackson State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 14 points in the paint.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Jackson State got double-doubles from both Daphane White and Daja Woodard.
JSU held the Grambling State to only 25.9 percent shooting from the field.
Jariyah Covington, Daphane White, and Daja Woodard combined to account for 85 percent of JSU's points.
Jackson State had a great day defensively, holding Grambling State to 17 percent from beyond the arc on 24 attempts.
Jackson State had a 45-35 edge on the boards in the win.
JSU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
Jariyah Covington led the Tigers with a game-high 19 points.
Daja Woodard nabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to lead Jackson State and Daphane White contributed 10.
UP NEXT
Jackson State will advance to the semifinals game on Friday at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. The Tigers will take on the winner of Bethune-Cookman and Alabama State.