GRAMBLING -- Without a win since January 16, the Grambling State University Tigers (6-17; 3-8 SWAC, 6-17) were expecting to discontinue a five-game losing streak at home against the Alcorn State University Braves (11-12; 9-3 SWAC, 11-12) Monday (February 8), but GSU's scoring ability came up short by three as Alcorn defeated them 66-63.

The Braves won the tip were able to keep a comfortable cushion throughout most of the game, never letting go of their lead and allowing Grambling State to tie the game only once. The Tigers made a lot of errors according to head coach Shawn Walker.

"Right there at the end of the half we missed layups," said Walker. "We missed two layups back to back. We missed ten free throws tonight. Our free throw shooting is poor."

Free throws would have been a difference maker in Monday's game. The Tigers shot 63 percent from the line. Alcorn shot more then 74 percent.

Grambling also had some opportunities to score off of Alcorn 13 turnovers, but only ended up with 16 points.

Ervin Mitchell was the Tigers' leading scorer with 22 points and five rebounds.

"Free throws, bad decision making, and turnovers" are what Mitchell thought were the problems with the Tigers 3-point lost. "When they made turnovers, we didn't score on their turnovers, but they scored on ours," he said.

Deonte Hearns followed in double figures with 14 points and three rebounds.

Tamarico Wilson led the Braves with 20 points and Octavious Brown had 15 points and eight rebounds.

The Tigers narrowed the gap to five with seven minutes left, but was unable to close it as the Braves went back up by eight by 4:26.

After some back-to-back free throws, Mitchell  shot a long 3-pointer with 11 seconds left to cut the lead to only three.

Hearns fouled and sent Brown to the line to make a couple of free throws. He made both to shut out the Tigers from a chance of coming back.

Grambling State, now on a 6-game losing streak, goes on the road Saturday (February 13) to play against the last team they beat this season, the Prairie View A&M University Panthers (2-20; 2-8 SWAC). Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.