Grambling, LA---The Grambling State Tigers pushed league leading Jackson State to the limit tonight but came up short falling 84-79 in overtime to the visiting Tigers from Mississippi.

 

It was WBCA Pink Zone Night for breast cancer awareness for Grambling as the Tiger's followed suit from the ladies in the first half of tonight's double header and dressed out in pink shooting shirts and shoe strings.

 

Grambling held a quick 5-2 lead to start the game but then appeared to be out of sync as Jackson pulled away by as much as 14 points twice with the last at 28-14 with 8:54 remaining. Grambling would roar back and close the gap to four at 36-32 (:46) before Jackson took a 38-32 lead into the break. The two teams recorded similar numbers in the half as they both shot 46-percent from the field and recorded 16 rebounds apiece. Jackson, however, held an edge at the free throw line where they made eight-of-nine.

 

In the second half Grambling once again fell behind by 13 at 48-35 before fueling an onslaught that led to them taking a brief lead at 61-60 and Greg Dillon draining a clutch three-point shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime tied at 74. 

 

In the overtime period Grambling ran out of fire power as they kept the game within two points over the first two and a half minutes before JSU put them away for good on two Cason Burk free throws.

 

Dillon recorded a game high 29 points with four rebounds and assists. Lance Fourtado turned in 17 points and five rebounds before fouling out, while Rupert Rose added 12 points and four assists.

 

Garrison Johnson led JSU with 22 points and eight rebounds. Burk had 19 points and nine rebounds with Tyrone Hanson adding 11 points and seven rebounds. De'Suan Dixon had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

 

Grambling will return to action Saturday February 27^th when they return home to face the Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.