GRAMBLING, La. (Men's Basketball)  -- Two technical fouls, a scuffle and a University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff Golden Lions early second half lead did not stop the Grambling State University Tigers from reaching the .500 mark in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The Tigers weathered the storm outlasting UAPB 61-53 on Saturday at Fredrick C. Hobdy Center. Grambling Head Coach Shawn Walker reached the .500 mark in conference play for the second time his tenure. Grambling State (9-12,  4-4 SWAC) is one win away from having double digit wins for the first time in five seasons.

Remond Brown scored a game high 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Erving Mitchell added 15 points four rebounds and  Nigel Ribeiro finished with 10 points and three big time 3-pointers.

Jaquan Lynch made a 3-pointer to give the Golden Lions a 30-28 led with 12:28 left. Moments later Walker livid received a technical foul. After the foul shots UAPB led 31-28. Three minutes Tigers Chase Cormier scored a bucket, resulting in a slight scrummage. Cormier earned a technical foul and the Hobdy Arena came alive.

With the crowd rocking and behind the Tigers, Nigel Ribero drilled two consecutive 3-pointers from downtown giving the Tigers a 40-39 led. Erving Mitchell joined the party with a deep long ball extending Grambling State led. GSU shot 55.6 percent from the 3-point range.

With the game close and both teams in the bonus, Grambling converted their last 5-of-7 free throws to close the game. Mitchell shot 1-of-2 , then Brown went 2-of-2 and the Tigers were up, 47-43. Avery Ugba nailed the old fashion three point play finishing at the rim and the free throw line. Brown landed a jumper in transition and again Mitchell shot 1-of-2. On GSU's next possession, Ugba continued his success at the line making two in a row, Grambling State led 54-48.

Brown and Cormier added the spear to the Golden Lions both drilling all net 3-pointers to give Grambling State their biggest lead of the game 12 points, 60-48.
The Tigers will continue their home series with Mississippi Valley State University on Monday, Jan. 30. Tip-off against the Delta Devils will be at 7:30 p.m. Fans can watch the live stream of the game at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr1Xz_GygACHTEY-wjZJiLg.