GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — A pair of teams seeking momentum to open the new year will meet Thursday when the Texas Southern Lady Tigers visit the Grambling Lady Tigers in a Southwestern Athletic Conference women’s basketball matchup at Fredrick Hobdy Assembly Center. Both teams enter 2026 with sub-.500 overall records, looking to translate non-conference lessons into SWAC success. Texas Southern (4-8) arrives after a dominant 119-58 victory over Biblical Stud. on Monday, while Grambling (3-10) last played on Dec. 22, earning a 97-33 win over LeTourneau. The game features a clash of key performers. Texas Southern is led by guard Aaliyah Henderson, who is coming off a versatile 16-point, six-rebound, six-assist performance in her last outing. Henderson has shown high-level playmaking ability, recording at least six assists in three of her last five games, including a 21-point, four-assist effort in a close loss to Texas-Arlington. Grambling counters with forward Shaniah Nunn, who posted an efficient double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in just 17 minutes against LeTourneau. Nunn has been a consistent scoring threat, reaching double figures in four of her last five contests, including a 22-point game at Louisiana Tech. Despite their records, both teams have faced challenging non-conference slates filled with road games and power conference opponents. Texas Southern’s eight losses include defeats to Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Texas. Grambling’s 10 losses feature setbacks against Baylor, Arizona and DePaul. The SWAC opener represents a fresh start for both programs. Texas Southern will aim to carry over its explosive offensive output from Monday, where Fenishka Bertho added 12 points and 16 rebounds. Grambling will rely on its home court and the interior presence of Nunn to establish an early conference foothold. Tip-off is set for Thursday at Grambling’s Fredrick Hobdy Assembly Center.