GREENVILLE, N.C. (Men's Basketball) -- To open the season, Head Coach
Shawn Walker and the Grambling State University men's basketball team (0-1) headed east to face to East Carolina University (1-0) in Greenville, N.C. on Friday night. The Tigers played extremely well but were bested by the Pirates, 72-57.
For the G-Men,
Marcel Thompson led the way with 15 points and was followed by
Ervin Mitchell with 14 points. Mitchell also was the rebound leader with five boards. In the assists department,
Nigel Ribeiro was leader with four dishes on the night. In the paint,
Drake Wilks and
Averyl Ugba recorded a block each.
As a team, GSU finished the game with 34 rebounds, 11 assists, seven steals and two blocks. The Tigers were 35 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from three point range, and 77.8 percent from the free throw line.
Caleb White was the driving force for East Carolina with 20 points. White was followed by Kentrell Barkely with 14 points and B.J. Tyson with 12 points. Tyson also led the team in assists with eight for the game. Andre Washington was a presence in the paint with three blocks. White and Barkely had the fastest hands as they each accounted for two steals.
Collectively, the Pirates finished the night with 37 rebounds, 13 assists, eight steals, and six blocks. ECU was 51.1 percent from the field, 55.6 percent from the arc, and 63.6 percent from the free throw line.
Grambling will host North Carolina A&T in its home opener on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Frederick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
