Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications
Tigers 63, Jaguars 57
The Grambling State University men’s basketball team stormed back in the second half to erase a 14-point halftime deficit and defeat Southern 63-57 at F.G. Clark Activity Center on Saturday afternoon.
The comeback was identical to earlier this season when GSU overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the Jaguars. On Saturday, Grambling State (14-13 overall, 11-3 SWAC) also trailed by as much as 17, but outscored SU 40-20 in the closing period.
Terrence Lewis had the hot hand for the Tigers, scoring 16 a game-high 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor. He added three rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal to his tally.
Tra’Michael Moton also scored in double-figures, contributing 13 points with five rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Southern (16-11, 10-4) put pressure on the Tigers early, crafting a 17-9 lead midway through the opening period. The Jaguars continued to build on their advantage, pushing it to 29-13 at the 5:18 mark. A three-pointer by Brndon Davis gave Southern its largest cushion of the day, 32-15, with 4:25 to go in the first half.
SU carried a 37-23 lead into the break.
The Jaguars shot the ball well from behind the arc in the first half, draining 8-of-12 from deep (66.7 percent). In the second half however, the Jaguars went three-point range, going 0-for-9.
Grambling State exited the locker room with new energy, opening the period on a 19-5 run, cutting SU’s lead down to 43-42 with 12:00 to play.
GSU took its first lead of the game, 45-44, on a three-pointer from Tra’Michael Moton with 11:07 to go.
Both teams battled fiercely down the street, trading buckets back and forth. With the score tied 55-55 with 1:52 remaining, Antwan Burnett splashed a clutch three-pointer to put GSU ahead 58-55.
Moton followed that up with a steal and a layup, making it 60-55 with 1:15 to play. Grambling State clinched the game with free throws in the closing moments to preserve the win.
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Lady Tigers 59, Southern 57
In a stunning turn of events, the Grambling State Tigers secured a historic win against the Southern University Jaguars on their home court, marking their first road victory against Southern in seven years.
This exhilarating triumph not only breaks a long-standing drought but also extends Grambling’s impressive winning streak to six consecutive games.
The game showcased the Tigers’ exceptional teamwork and skill, with standout performances from key players including Zayla Tinner, Jordyn Carter, and Kahia Warmsley. Tinner led the scoring with 13 points, supported by Carter’s 12 points and Warmsley’s solid contributions with 10 points. The entire team displayed remarkable resilience and determination throughout the game, demonstrating their commitment to success.
The Tigers’ exceptional performance was reflected in their impressive shooting percentages, with 46.7% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. Additionally, their strong defensive efforts in the third quarter limited Southern’s scoring opportunities and ultimately secured the decisive victory.
