GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University men's basketball team had four players in double figures, but dropped a 79-74 decision to Mississippi Valley State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Monday night at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
 
Grambling State (15-14 Overall, 11-5 SWAC) led by as many as 10 points with 10:44 remaining in the first half, but could not put the game away as Mississippi Valley State used a 26-8 run during the final 10 minutes of the half and never looked back.
 
Anthony Gaston paced the Tigers offense with 17 points, two rebounds and one steal. Ivy Smith, Jr. chipped in 16 points, five assists and four steals. DeVante Jackson added 13 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, while Nigel Ribeiro record 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal.
 
Jordan Evans led Mississippi Valley State (4-26, 4-13) with 29 points and nine rebounds, while Dante Scott tallied 15 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals.
 
Turning Point
Grambling State led 29-19 with 10:44 remaining in the first half, but Mississippi Valley State used a 26-8 run to give the Delta Devils a 45-37 lead going into the break.
 
Mississippi Valley State led 56-40 with 16:46 remaining, but Grambling State cut the deficit to 73-71, with 2:15 left after a bucket by Smith. However, that would be as close as the Tigers would get down the stretch.
 
Inside the Numbers
· Grambling State shot 36.8 percent (28-of-76) from the floor and 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from the free-throw line.
· Mississippi Valley State was 27-of-71 (38.0 percent) shooting and 22-of-27 (81.5 percent) from the charity stripe.
· The Tigers finished with 46 rebounds, with 32 coming on the defensive end.
· The Devils tallied 55 rebounds, including 16 coming on the offensive glass.
· Grambling State registered 36 points in the paint, 22 off turnovers, 10 fast break points and 13 second-chance points.
· Mississippi Valley State scored 42 points in the paint, 17 second-chance points and 12 points off turnovers.
· There were three lead changes and six ties.
 
News & Notes
*Grambling State split the season series against Mississippi Valley State.
* The last time Grambling State loss to Mississippi Valley State was Feb. 27, 2017 in Itta Bena, Miss.
* The Grambling State University Department of Athletics honored its faculty and staff, along with the AD Honor Roll, on Monday night.
 
Up Next
Grambling State will conclude the season in Alabama as the Tigers visit Alabama A&M on Thursday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
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