The 2024 Starry SWAC Basketball Tournament opened with four games at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. The fans in attendance were treated to close competitions and a bit of drama, with only one team gaining an upset on Day 1 of the tourney.
2024 STARRY SWAC MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT: DAY 1
WOMEN: GAME ONE
On the women’s side, No. 2 Grambling State defeated No. 7 Florida A&M 66-60. The Lady Tigers held Ahriahna Grizzle, the reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, to 16 points and five assists.
Anijah Grant led Grambling with 14 points, 8 of which were scored in the final quarter.
𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗➡️
‼️TIGERS WIN‼️#GramFam | #ThisIsTheG | #ChampionshipTalk🐯🏆 pic.twitter.com/8lymJunOsa
— Grambling State University Women's Basketball (@GSU_WBK) March 13, 2024
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WOMEN: GAME TWO
No. 1 Jackson State overcame a slow start and won 67-58 against No. 8 Prairie View in the quarterfinal game after trailing 15-7 with 2:53 left in the first quarter.
The Lady Tigers took the lead on a jumper by Keshuna Luckett at 4:15 in the second period and never looked back in the contest.
The Lady Panthers guard Ryann Payne and JSU’s guard Keshuna Lucket matched one another with a high of 19 points. Jackson State (24-6) remains unbeaten in the SWAC.
Final from @theswac quarterfinals‼️#TheeILove | #SWACWBB | #GoJSUTigersWBB🐅 pic.twitter.com/5hKRo6ZapL
— Jackson State Women’s Basketball (@GoJSUTigersWBB) March 14, 2024
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MEN: GAME ONE
No. 7 Alabama A&M upset No. 2 Alcorn State, 75-63, to open the men’s basketball tournament in Birmingham. A partisan crowd was treated to forward Omari Peek and guard Lorenzo Downey, each scoring 16 points in guiding the Bulldogs to victory.
The Braves were held without a field goal during the final 5:07 minutes of the game. Alabama A&M recaptured lead, 53-31, at the 10:59 mark in the second half with Peek nailed a jumper. Alcorn stayed close, but the Bulldogs pulled away down the stretch to win. A&M will face the winner of the Texas Southern and Jackson State contest.
Alabama A&M WINS!! #SWACMBB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/PYuT3ih8MT
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) March 13, 2024
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MEN: GAME TWO
No. 1 Grambling State recorded a 56-50 victory over No. 8 Alabama State to cap off Day 1 at the 2024 Starry SWAC Basketball Tournament. Tigers guard Kintavious Dozier had a game-high 18 points, and Tra’Michael Moton scored 14 points on the evening. Anton Madlock led the Hornets with 15 points, Micah Octave grabbed eight rebounds, and CJ Hines notched four assists in the losing effort.
The G-Men held the Hornets to 30% scoring for the floor while successfully hitting 37% of their shots.
Grambling moves to the semifinal game to face the winner of Thursday’s No. 4 Southern and No. 5 Bethune-Cookman match.
Grambling State WIN!#SWACMBB | #BuildingChampionsForLife pic.twitter.com/VmEBm3q5Et
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) March 14, 2024
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