Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications
The Grambling State University men’s basketball team led by six with 49 seconds left, but Incarnate Word closed the game on a 9-1 run as the Cardinals picked up a 63-61 come-from-behind win during the second day of the 210 San Antonio Shootout on Sunday evening at the Convocation Center.
The Tigers (3-3) trailed, 29-24, at the half, but used a 15-5 run to open the second half. However, down the stretch, Grambling State was plagued by turnovers and fouls as Incarnate Word (4-3) rallied to pick up the win.
Cameron Christon went 9-of-13 from the floor to toss in a season-high 20 points, along with four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Carte’are Gordon finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards, with four assists and three blocked shots.
Josh Morgan paced three Cardinal players in double figures with 12 points, while Jonathan Cisse added 11 points. Brandon Swaby chipped in 10 points.
With the score tied at 8, Incarnate Word used a 10-2 run, capped by an Andre Cruz 3-pointer, giving the Cardinals an 18-10 advantage with 10:55 remaining in the first half.
UIW extended the lead, its largest of the day, to 24-12 as Cruz scored on a fast break layup with 7:03 left.
Grambling State battled back, on the heels of a 10-4 run, during the final four minutes of the half, closing the gap to 29-24 at the break.
The Tigers opened the second half strong, using a 15-5 run, as Grambling State took a 39-34 lead after a Gordon bucket with 12:51 remaining.
GSU stretched the lead, its largest of the night, to 48-39 on a Christon layup, but the Cardinals refused to go away quietly.
Incarnate Word used a 8-0 run, capped by a Morgan bucket to close the deficit to 48-47 with 6:29 left.
Morgan’s 3-pointer with just under four minutes remaining tied the game at 52, but baskets by Smith and Tra’Michael Moton broke the tie and gave the Tigers a 56-52 lead with 2:16 left.
Moton added to the lead with a pair of free throws, giving GSU a 60-54 advantage with 49 seconds left.
The Cardinals used a 9-1 run during the final 49 seconds to slip by Grambling State.
