Box Score BATON ROUGE – Southern University head men's basketball coach Roman Banks and his Jaguar team gave Grambling State University head men's coach Shawn Walker and the Tigers a run for their money Saturday (January 9), wasting no time creating a lead over the Tigers in the first half, pulled away with a double digit lead before taking the game 66-61.
 
"It was a really good game," Walker said after the game in the F.G. Clark Activity Center. "We made too many minimal mistakes coming down the stretch. It was our first road game, playing against the SWAC with minimal power. We have to defend a little bit better."
 
At halftime, Remond Brown had seven points with five rebounds while Adrian Rodgers of Southern had 12 points along with three rebounds.
 
The Tigers went into the second half with more intensity, and many of the points came from Ervin Mitchell and Deonte Hearns, who shot four of eight at the free throw line. With nearly six minutes remaining in the game the Tigers were able to close the gap in points with baskets made by Mitchell, but it wasn't enough for the Tigers to secure a third conference win. GSU was 2-0 going into the game.
 
Hearns had a total of 18 points and eight rebounds and Mark Gray with 13 points and four rebounds. Adrian Rodgers of Southern put up 19 points, seven rebounds and had two assists.

"I'm proud of our guys. The SWAC should take notice that Grambling is here," Walker added.

Earlier Saturday, the matchup between the Lady Tigers of Grambling State University and the Lady Jaguars of Southern University Saturday (January 9) brought the Lady Tigers' 2-0 SWAC winning streak to an end as they were defeated 80-69.
 
The teams went head to head, but the Lady Jaguars managed to secure a lead by halftime with a score of 43-29. The Jags were in foul trouble with 17 in the first half of the game. GSU's Takerra Parsons and Chantiara Lewis each had eight points.  SU teammates Britney Washington and Cortnei Purnell each added eight points. Leading Southern through the entire game was Briana Green, with 10 points.
 
GSU lost its undefeated position as the Lady Jaguars played with more intensity, even creating a 20 point lead in the third quarter. GSU women's head basketball coach Nadine Domond said she didn't recognize the team that was playing in the first half and by the time the team found its rhythm in the second half it was  too late.
 
Three GSU players scored in double digits, though it wasn't enough. Guard Chantiara Lewis had 12 points and five rebounds by the end of the game. Teammates John'ea Thompson and Takerra Parsons each had 10 points with three rebounds.
 
Now 2-1 in the conference, the Lady Tigers will play Alcorn State University on Monday (January 11) at 6 p.m. in Lorman, Mississippi. The G-Men play the ASU men after, about 8 p.m.