GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University men's basketball team seek to secure two more conference wins as the Tigers play host to Prairie View A&M University on Saturday and Texas Southern University on Monday. Tipoff in Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center on Saturday is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Monday. Monday's contest will stream live via the SWAC Digital Network.
 
Grambling State (5-12 overall, 1-3 SWAC) fell to Southern, 80-69, on Jan.6, but bounced back with a 72-61 victory over Alcorn State on Monday night.
 
Prairie View A&M (5-12, 2-1) comes into Saturday's contest seeking its third SWAC win.  Texas Southern (3-13, 3-0) is currently riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Prairie View, 100-94.
 
ABOUT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
• The Panthers will have a week to rest up for Grambling State as Prairie View A&M fell just short last Saturday to Texas Southern, 100-94.  
 
• Prairie View is averaging 72.1 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 79.3 points. The Jaguars are shooting 42.5 percent (434-of-1021) from the floor and 64.0 percent (224-of-350) from the free-throw line.
 
• Zachary Hamilton paces the Prairie View offense at 18.2 points and 3.9 boards per game followed by Gary Blackston with 17.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
 
ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN
• The Tigers have won their first three conference games, including a 100-94 victory over Prairie View on Jan. 6. Texas Southern will visit Jackson State on Saturday, before visiting Grambling State.
 
• Texas Southern is averaging 73.6 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 84.4 points. The Tigers are shooting 41.3 percent (402-of-973) from the floor and 73.1 percent (234-of-338) from the free-throw line.
 
• Demontrae Jefferson leads four of Texas Southern offense in double digits at 23.5 points and 2.4 boards per game followed by Donte Clark at 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds, Kevin Scott with 12.6 points and 4.0 boards per game and Derrick Bruce with 11.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
 
LAST TIME OUT
• Grambling State is coming off a 72-61 win to Alcorn State on Monday.
 
• Anthony Gaston paced Grambling State with 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Ivy Smith, Jr. added 15 points, four boards, four assists and two steals. Shirmane Thomas registered 13 points and six boards, while Jason Perry-Murray recorded a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
• Grambling State shot 21-of-53 (39.6 percent) from the field and 21-of-35 (60 percent) from the free-throw line.
 
 
NOTABLES
• Grambling State is averaging 69.8 points, while opponents are averaging 78.5 points per game. The Tigers are shooting 40.6 percent (409-of-1008) from the floor and 71.8 percent (285-of-397) from the foul line.
 
• Ivy Smith, Jr., leads the team in scoring at 15.4 points and 3.7 boards per game. Axel Mpoyo is second on the team in scoring at 9.5 points and 5.9 boards, while Diontae Jones is averaging 8.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
• Ivy Smith, Jr., set career highs of points and rebounds against Touagloo on Dec. 4. He poured in 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. He also set a career high in assists, with eight, against Iowa on Nov. 16.
 
PRESEASON POLL
• The Tigers were predicted to finish seventh in the preseason coaches' poll as voted on by conference head coaches and sports information directors. Grambling State did not have a player selected to the preseason All-SWAC first and second teams.
 
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
• Ivy Smith, Jr. was selected SWAC Player of the Week by the conference on Dec. 5.
 
SCHEDULE NOTES
• Grambling State played just one game (Tougaloo) at home prior to opening conference play. The Tigers will play nine SWAC games at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
  
GRAMBLING STATE BASKETBALL HISTORY
• Grambling State defeated Prairie View A&M last year in the SWAC Quarterfinals, but fell to Texas Southern, 62-57, in the SWAC Semifinals.
 
UP NEXT
• After the two-game homestand, the Tigers will travel to Jackson, Miss to take on Jackson State University. Tipoff in Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center is set for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 20.
 
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
 

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