GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — In a low-scoring, defensive struggle between two teams sharing the Lady Tigers nickname, Texas Southern edged Grambling 61-58 on Thursday night in a Southwestern Athletic Conference women’s basketball opener at Fredrick Hobdy Assembly Center.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 502, was a tale of two halves defined by a decisive third-quarter swing. After playing to a 31-31 deadlock through the first 20 minutes, Grambling seized control coming out of the break. The home team outscored Texas Southern 15-8 in the third quarter, building a lead that stretched to as many as eight points. The period was marked by stifling defense from Grambling, which forced eight Texas Southern turnovers and limited the visitors to just three made field goals.

However, Texas Southern mounted a relentless fourth-quarter comeback, outscoring Grambling 22-12 over the final 10 minutes. The rally was fueled by guard Daeja Holmes, who finished with a game-high 18 points. Her 3-pointer with 3:10 remaining in the game cut Grambling’s lead to 55-53 and ignited the final push. Key free throws down the stretch from Holmes and Aaliyah Henderson, who added 14 points, sealed the narrow victory.

Grambling was led by Shaniah Nunn with 13 points, while Alieghya Bartholomew provided a spark off the bench with 11 points, all in the first half. The home team struggled offensively in the final quarter, shooting poorly from the field and committing critical turnovers that stymied their attempt to hold the lead.

The most important part of the game was Texas Southern’s defensive response in the fourth quarter after being dominated in the third. Following Grambling’s 15-point period, Texas Southern tightened its defense, applying pressure that led to several Grambling turnovers and contested shots. This defensive stand created transition opportunities and allowed Texas Southern to methodically erase the deficit. The comeback was capped by a crucial sequence in the final two minutes where Texas Southern forced consecutive Grambling turnovers and converted the resulting possessions into points from the free-throw line.

The win improved Texas Southern to 5-8 overall and 1-0 in SWAC play, while Grambling fell to 3-11 and 0-1. The victory was notable as Interstat’s ELO system had projected Grambling with a 71.10 percent probability to win.

Texas Southern continues its conference schedule on the road at Southern on Saturday. Grambling will look to rebound at home against Prairie View, also on Saturday.