Grambling’s basketball teams can’t get to Pine Bluff fast enough.
UAPB hosts a Southwestern Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday that appears to be just the ticket for Grambling to get some traction. The UAPB women are 2-16 overall, 2-11 in the SWAC and were on an 11-game skid entering a Thursday evening game against Texas Southern. The Golden Lions (3-18, 2-10) had lost 10 straight heading into last night’s contest vs. TSU.
The Lady Tigers cruised to a 67-53 win Jan. 30 at home while the Tigers got a 74-71 victory in the first meeting.
Saturday’s action tips with a women’s contest at 4 and the men’s matchup follows at 6:30 at H.O. Clemmons Arena. According to the UAPB Athletics website, no fans are allowed at home events.
The Grambling women (7-8, 6-5) have dropped three of their last four games, including Monday’s loss at league-leading Jackson State. Alexus Holt (13.6 points per game), Justice Coleman (11.1, along with a team-best 5.4 rebounding average) and Candice Parramore (10.6 ppg) are coach Freddie Murray’s three most productive players.
Coach Donte’ Jackson’s Tigers (9-10, 7-5) started a four-game winning streak by beating UAPB, but have lost their last two. The G-Men made a late run Monday but couldn’t top Jackson State, who is still perfect in SWAC action. Grambling is topped by Christon Coleman’s 12.6 average, the only one in double digits on a balanced roster. Five Tigers scored at least 10 in the earlier win over UAPB.
Grambling plays Monday night at Mississippi Valley, then wraps up the regular season at home hosting Alabama State (next Thursday) and Alabama A&M (next Saturday) before the SWAC Tournament in two weeks.
SOCCER: The Lady Tigers (0-1) make their home debut under new coach Craig Roberts and kick off the SWAC season this weekend with home matches today at 3 (Prairie View) and Sunday at 1 (Texas Southern) at the GSU Soccer Complex. Grambling was very competitive Tuesday night in a 2-0 loss at ULM, which scored the clinching goal in the 87th minute following a scoreless first half.
VOLLEYBALL: Home matches Sunday vs. Southern and Monday against Alcorn State in the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center await the Lady Tigers. First serve is 6 o’clock both nights. Next Thursday, Grambling rides east to play at Louisiana Tech.
BASEBALL: Packing the travel bags is the plan for the G-Men. The Tigers open the season with a four-game series beginning today at Memphis, and do not appear at home until March 17.
The Tigers will be nearby Tuesday evening, visiting ULM in a 6 p.m. game. The SWAC season begins next weekend at Southern.
SOFTBALL: The Lady Tigers (0-2) head east on I-20 to participate in the River City Classic in Vicksburg Saturday and Sunday.
Photo: TayTapes870/GSUTigers.com