GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University men's basketball team trailed by as many as five points in the second half, but the Tigers rallied to extend their win streak to eight games, which is the longest in over 40 years, with an 81-72 victory over Alcorn State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) game on Monday night at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
 
Grambling State (12-12 overall, 8-3 SWAC) swept the season series over Alcorn State and haven't dropped a game in nearly a month.
 
The Tigers led 40-32 at the break, but watched Alcorn State rally and grab a 62-57 lead with eight and half minutes remaining. Alcorn State (7-17, 3-8) couldn't hold on to the lead as Grambling State outscored the Braves, 24-10, down the stretch to pick up the win.
 
 Shirmane Thomas led the way for Grambling State with 21 points, three boards and one block. Ivy Smith, Jr. added 20 points, nine boards, six assists, one steak and one block, while DeVante Jackson registered 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
 
A.J. Mosby paced the Braves with a game-high 28 points, with eight boards, six assists and two steals. Dante Sterling tallied 17 points and three rebounds, while Devon Brewer recorded 10 points and three blocks.
 

.@GSU_TIGERS Win Eighth Straight, Take Down Alcorn State -- https://t.co/MOW3ECJxSW #Grambling pic.twitter.com/G42V6rXbHT

— KTVE - KARD (@MyArkLaMiss) February 6, 2018

Turning Point
Grambling State led by eight at the break and extend the margin to 46-35 after a layup by Thomas with 18:50 remaining in the second half.
 
Alcorn State answered and used a 13-2 run over the next two minutes to tie the game at 48 after a pair of free throws by Mosby. However, Grambling State continued to push the margin as Gaston sank a jumper with 11:34 left to give the Tigers a 57-51 lead.
 
Back came the Braves as Alcorn State used a 9-0 run, capped by a jumper by Brewer to take a 62-57 advantage with 8:38 left. The Tigers rallied and grabbed a 71-69 lead after a 3-pointer by Thomas with 4:23 remaining.
 
With the game tied at 71, Grambling State closed out the game on a 10-1 run to earn its eighth consecutive victory.
 
Inside the Numbers
· Grambling State shot 47.5 percent (28-of-59) from the floor and 67.9 percent (19-of-28) from the free-throw line.
· Alcorn State was 25-of-63 (39.7 percent) shooting and 12-of-16 (75 percent) from the charity stripe.
· The Tigers finished with 45 rebounds, including 37 off the defensive glass.
· The Braves registered 39 rebounds, with four coming on the offensive end.
· Grambling State scored 38 points in the paint, 15 points off turnovers, 11 bench points and nine second-chance points.
· Alcorn State finished with 24 points in the paint, 17 bench points and 10 second-chance points.
· There were nine ties and nine lead changes.
 
News & Notes
· The last time Grambling State won eight straight games was during the 1976-77 season, which was the final year before the Tigers began NCAA Division I play.
· Grambling State completed a season sweep of Alcorn State.
· It has been a month (Jan. 6) since the last time Grambling State lost a game (at Southern – 80-69)
· Grambling State head coach Donte' Jackson begins the month of February with two straight wins and improves to 2-0 over Alcorn State.
 
Up Next
Grambling State takes to the road for its next two games as the Tigers visit Prairie View A&M on Saturday, Feb. 9. Tip-off in Prairie View, Texas is set for 5:30 p.m.
 
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.