HOUSTON -- Aaric Murray scored 18 points and blocked six shots as second-seeded Texas Southern won its seventh game in a row after beating No. 10 seed Grambling State 79-54 on Wednesday in a Southwestern Athletic Conference quarterfinal game.

Murray, named the conference player and defensive player of the year, made 5 of 7 shots and went 8 for 11 from the free throw line. In the regular season he averaged 21.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

Madarious Gibbs had 15 points for Texas Southern (17-14) and D'Angelo Scott added 13 and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Coming off its first SWAC tournament win since 2011, Grambling State (5-24) was led by Antwan Scott with 12 points.

Texas Southern led by 15 points early in the second half before it went on a 12-0 run to take a commanding 57-30 lead with 10:50 left.