GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University men's basketball team will look to keep its historic eight-game streak alive on the road in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play as the Tigers visit Prairie View A&M on Saturday and Texas Southern on Monday. Tip-off for Saturday's game at the William Nicks Building is set for 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Health and Physical Education Arena.
 
Grambling State (12-12 overall, 8-3 SWAC) started conference play with three consecutive losses, but has since put together eight consecutive wins, including a thrilling 69-68 victory over Southern last Saturday (Feb. 3).
 
Prairie View A&M (9-15, 6-4) has only lost one SWAC game at home (78-74 against Southern on Jan. 3) and is seeking a fifth consecutive conference win.
 
Texas Southern (6-17, 6-4) was victorious against Alabama State, 97-82, but fell to Prairie View A&M, 96-82, last Saturday.
 
ABOUT PRAIRIE VIEW A&M
* The Panthers are averaging 74.8 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 78.5 points.
* Prairie View is shooting 43.8 percent (626-of-1428) from the floor and 65.9 percent (360-of-546) from the free-throw line.
* Gary Blankston leads the Panthers in scoring with 18.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, followed by Zachary Hamilton with 17.0 points and 3.9 boards per game. Dennis Jones is averaging 11.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
 
ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN
* The Tigers are averaging 75.4 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 82.6 points
* Texas Southern is shooting 42.7 percent (577-of-1351) from the floor and 72.2 percent (410-of-568) from the charity stripe.
* The Tigers' offense is led by Demontrae Jefferson with 23.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, Donte Clark with 17.8 points and 5.1 boards per game, followed by Derrick Bruce with 12.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
 
LAST TIME OUT
* Grambling State rallied to defeat Alcorn State, 81-72, on Monday night.
* 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 steal and one block, while DeVante Jackson registered 16 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
* Grambling State shot 47.5 percent (28-of-59) from the floor and 67.9 percent (19-of-28) from the free-throw line.
 
NOTABLES
* Grambling State is averaging 72.0 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 76.0 points.
* The Tigers are shooting 41.9 percent (597-of-1426) from the floor and 70.7 percent (415-of-587) from the free-throw line.
* Ivy Smith, Jr. leads the Grambling State offense, averaging 15.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while Shirmane Thomas is second in scoring at 10.3 points and 4.6 boards per game. Anthony Gaston averages 9.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
* The Tigers win over Alcorn State extended Grambling State's streak to eight games, a feat which last occurred in the 1976-1977 season, which was the final year before the Tigers began NCAA Division I play.
* Anthony Gaston set career highs of points and rebounds against Prairie View A&M on Jan. 13. He poured in 30 points and grabbed seven boards along with four steals, two assists and one blocked shot.
* Shirmane Thomas scored 20 of his career-high 27 points in the first half in Grambling State's win over Texas Southern on Jan.15.
 
PRESEASON POLL
* GSU was 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.
 
SCHEDULE NOTES
* Grambling State played just one game (Tougaloo) at home prior to opening conference play. GSU will play nine SWAC games at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
 
UP NEXT
* Following the two-game road trip, Grambling State will return to action against Jackson State University in Fredrick C. Hobdy Athletic Center on Saturday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is scheduled 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.
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video