By: Habtom Keleta-Asst. AD for Media Relations
Box Score GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling Tigers survived a scare and defeated Jackson State University by the score of 63-61 at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center in Southwestern Athletic Conference action. The win snaps a two-game skid for the G-Men.
"I told my team to keep being aggressive when we had the lead because Jackson State was not playing well early," said head coach Donte Jackson. "Free throws and turnovers helped them get back into the game in the second half."
Grambling (14-13, 8-6 SWAC) led by as many as 14 points in the first half behind hot shooting from red-shirt sophomore
Cameron Christon who finished with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field. Christon picked up two quick fouls early in the second half and was forced to sit out for a big chuck on the latter half which allowed Jackson State to creep back into the ball game and actually take the lead late in the second half.
"I told our guys to settle down when they took the lead from us," said Coach Jackson. "I told them that Jackson State would make a run, but we would make the final run."
Senior point guard
Ivy Smith, Jr. carried the team on his back down the stretch on the offensive end as he finished with 15 points and made 9-of-10 free throws. He also added seven rebounds and eight assists, but none bigger than when he found center
Devante Jackson who buried the game-winning shot with less than 30 seconds left, breaking the 61-61 tie. Jackson also finished with 15 points on the night for Grambling and played marvelous defense on the interior end along with teammate
Travon Bunch and
Prince Moss.
"With the game tied at 61, we ran a high ball screen on the final play. Their big man switched on Ivy, so he passed the ball to an open
Devante Jackson who buried the shot," said Coach Jackson.
The Tigers were led by Venjie Wallis who finished wth 15 points. SWAC leading scorer Tristan Jarrett added 13 points in the loss for Jackson State.
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State shot 41 percent (19-of-46) from the floor and 70 percent (23-of-33) from the charity stripe
> Jackson State was 22-of-61 (36 percent) from the field and 12-of-15 (80 percent) from the foul line
> GSU registered 34 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass
> Jackson State pulled down 30 rebounds, with 10 coming on the offensive end
> The Tigers (GRAM) finished with 20 points in the paint, eight bench points, 12 second-chance points and six fast break points
> The Tigers (JSU) recorded 26 points in the paint, 25 bench points, nine second-chance points and 10 fast break points
Up Next
Following Mardi Gras break, the Tigers continue conference play on Saturday, February 29 as they host Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Tip-off against the Golden Lions is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center in the second of two games of the SWAC doubleheader.
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