Grambling’s home basketball finales Saturday were just what the doctor ordered.
After the frustrating football defeat earlier in the day, both Grambling hoops squads delivered at the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. That wrapped up the regular season and sent Grambling’s teams to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournaments in Birmingham on a high note and with good seedings.
Both teams got balanced scoring as the Lady Tigers prevailed 72-68 and the Tigers won 80-72 over Alabama A&M.
The Lady Tigers (9-9, 8-6) secured the SWAC’s fifth seed and will face the same foe in the first round of the SWAC Tournament Thursday at 5:30.
The Tigers (11-11, 9-6) earned the league’s No. 4 seed and an opening-round pairing against Southern in Birmingham at 8:30 Thursday night.
Justice Coleman had 16 points while Alexus Holt scored 14 for the Lady Tigers. Candice Parramore missed only one of her five shots while posting 12 points, and Leah Morrow added 10.
Coleman had a key steal leading to a Holt basket, and then poured in a 3-pointer in a crucial 7-0 burst by Grambling away from a 62-61 edge with 1:35 to go. The visitors never got closer than four afterward.
The G-Men had six Tigers in double figures as they completed the Saturday night sweep. Cameron Christon was tops with 17, while Terron Randolph scored 14 and Tra’Michael Moton added 13. Prince Moss and Zahad Munford both posted 11 and Kelton Edwards had 10.
They overcame a double-digit deficit and moved on top with 14 minutes left, opening their own 10-point lead before weathering a late rally by the visitors. After a basket with 21 seconds left closed it within two, Moss drained four free throws and Moton sank two that iced the outcome.
BASEBALL: The Tigers suffered three tough losses opening SWAC action at defending champion Southern, falling 9-8 on Friday, 10-9 in extra innings Saturday and 5-3 on Sunday.
In the first two games Grambling (0-7, 0-3) fell behind big but nearly pulled off comeback wins. Sunday, the Tigers couldn’t hold a 3-0 lead.
Friday, the Jaguars charged up 6-1 but fought off a Grambling rally led by two home runs by Cameron Phelts (three RBI) and Jahmoi Percival, who singled, doubled and tripled.
Saturday, the Tigers erased a 6-0 deficit and got to the 10th inning, but Southern drew a bases-loaded walk to win. Sunday, the Jags (4-6, 3-0) tied it in the seventh and got the go-ahead run in the eighth.
The season-opening string of road games continues this week. Grambling goes to Mississippi State Tuesday and travels to face Florida A&M Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Garr Lucas Classic in Georgia, hosted by the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A franchise.
SOCCER: A weekend trip to Alabama worked out well for the Lady Tigers with a 2-1 triumph Friday at Alabama A&M and Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Alabama State. Grambling (2-2-1, 2-1-1) is home next weekend, hosting Alcorn State Friday and Mississippi Valley Sunday.
SOFTBALL: Following a weekend off, Grambling (2-4) hosts Jarvis Christian Tuesday at 2, and visits ULM Wednesday at 4.
VOLLEYBALL: A five-match win streak was halted Thursday at Louisiana Tech by a 3-0 score. The Lady Tigers (5-4, 3-2) visit UAPB Monday evening, then host Jackson State Thursday and Texas Southern Saturday.
Photo: courtesy GSUTigers.com