By: Habtom Keleta-Asst. AD for Media Relations
Box Score GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling Tigers used a solid second half to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 60-46 at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center in Southwestern Athletic Conference action on Senior Day. The win marks two straight conference victories for the Tigers who are
jockying for position to finish as one of the top four teams in the conference in order to host a first-round tourney game.
Four seniors were honored during pre-game festivities including
Ivy Smith, Jr.,
Anthony Gaston,
Travon Bunch and
Devante Jackson.
Grambling (15-13, 9-6 SWAC) led 25-21 at the break in a low-scoring affair. Overall, both teams shot under 40 percent, but Grambling out scored UAPB by 10 points in the second half, ensuring the win. The Tigers were led by
Prince Moss who finished with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and added five steals, three boards and three assists in the win while fellow Tiger Jackson chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Senior point guard
Ivy Smith, Jr. was held to just seven points but dished out six assists and nailed all four of his free throw attempts. Smith, Jr. currently ranks number one in the conference in
assists per game and sits at number 14 in the SWAC in points per game. Tonight he entered the 1,000 point Grambling Tigers club and was presented with a game ball during the pre-game festivities.
The Golden Lions were led by Markedric Bell who nearly finished with a triple-double, scoring a game-high 26 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and produced eight turnovers in the loss.
Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State shot 39 percent (20-of-51) from the floor and 71 percent (17-of-24) from the charity stripe
> UAPB was 17-of-46 (37 percent) from the field and 11-of-18 (61 percent) from the foul line
> GSU registered 30 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass
> UAPB pulled down 29 rebounds, with eight coming on the offensive end
> The Tigers finished with 28 points in the paint, 29 bench points, 11 second-chance points and 10 fast break points
> The Golden Lions recorded 30 points in the paint, 12 bench points, 10 second-chance points and seven fast break points
Up Next
The Tigers continue conference play on Monday, March 2 as they host Mississippi Valley. Tip-off against the Devils is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center in the second of two games of the SWAC doubleheader. The contest is the final home game of the regular season.
IF THE TIGERS WIN ON MONDAY
-It will be the first time since entering Division 1 that Grambling enters back to back post-season play (one of the post-season NCAA tournaments)
-It will assure three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1979 (every year since Coach Donte Jackson and his staff was hired)
-It will give Grambling a chance for the most wins since 1980 (18 wins), but the
Tigers must win out, including the two-game Alabama road trip
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