GRAMBLING, La. | Ivy Smith, Jr., led four players in double figures with 19 points, but it wasn't enough as the Grambling State University men's basketball team dropped a 92-85 decision to Northwestern State in the Hurricane Harvey Relief Exhibition game on Monday night at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
 
Smith led the way for the Tigers on 6-of-10 shooting and was 6-of-10 from the charity stripe to finish with 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Nigel Ribeiro added 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting and five boards, while Anthony Gaston tallied 15 points and three rebounds. DeVante Jackson registered 11 points and a team-high six rebounds.
 
Jalan West paced Northwestern State with 20 points, including 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. Devonte Hall and Ishmael Lane recorded 15 and 12 points, respectively. Iziahiah Sweeney added 10 points for the Demons.
 
Turning Point
Northwestern State led by as many as 11 points (19-8) in the first half, but Grambling State kept chipping away at the lead and eventually tied the game at 27 after a free throw Smith, Jr.
 
The Tigers took their first led, 33-32 after a layup by Ribeiro, but the Demons closed out the first half on a 19-10 run to take a 47-43 advantage into the break.
 
In the second half, the Tigers erased the four-point halftime deficit with a 31-20 run, capped by a Smith, Jr. layup to take a 74-67 lead with 8:57 left.
 
But back came the Demons as Northwestern State answered and grabbed an 80-74 advantage after three free throws by Hall.
 
The Tigers rallied and took an 84-83 lead after a jumper by Ribeiro with 3:21 remaining, but again the Demons answered and closed out the game on a 9-1 run to win the Hurricane Harvey Relief Exhibition game, 92-85.
 
Inside the Numbers
· Grambling State shot 51.8 percent (29-of-56) from the field and 63.9 percent (23-of-36) from the free-throw line.
· Northwestern State was 29-of-64 (45.3 percent) shooting and 26-of-40 (65 percent) from the charity stripe.
· There were 56 fouls called during the exhibition game.
· The Demons held a 42-34 advantage on the boards, including 15-9 on the offensive glass.
· The Tigers scored 38 points in the paint, 23 points off turnovers and six second-chance points.
· Northwestern State finished with 32 points in the pain, 21 points off turnovers and 12 second-chance points.
· The Demons held a 32-31 advantage in bench points.
· There were 10 ties and 14 lead changes.
 
News & Notes
· The exhibition game was to raise proceeds those who were affect by Hurricane Harvey.
· Grambling State will open the season with seven straight road games.
· The first opportunity to see the Tigers at home this season is Dec. 4 against Tougaloo.
 
Up Next
Grambling State opens the 2017-18 season on Friday with a trip to Richmond, Va., to take on VCU. Tip-off from the Stuart C. Siegel Center is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
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