General | 2/8/2020 10:39:00 PM

Box Score GRAMBLING, La. | After trailing by as many as 13 points in the game, the Grambling Tigers continued their win streak with a 66-62 thrilling victory over Southern University at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The win is the Tigers' third in a row as they prepare for a rematch against Alcorn on Monday.

Grambling (12-11, 6-4 SWAC) trailed 38-29 at the break due to a hot first half from Southern. However, senior forward Devante Jackson imposed his will on the Jags as he finished with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. Jackson was nearly perfect from the free throw line (5-of-6) and added nine rebounds and three blocks in the victory.

With the game tied 56 apiece, and with 40 seconds remaining on the game clock, senior point guard Ivy Smith, Jr. penetrated the defense and attacked the basket, then quickly crossed over his defender and nailed a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired, giving Grambling a three-point lead. Smith, Jr. finished with 18 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal while fellow Tiger Anthony Gaston chipped in with seven points in the win.

The Jaguars were led by Ahsante Shivers who finished with a team-high 16 points, three boards and three assists in the loss.

Inside the Numbers
> Grambling State shot 49 percent (20-of-41) from the floor and 79 percent (22-of-28) from the charity stripe
> Southern was 22-of-62 (36 percent) from the field and 11-of-19 (58 percent) from the foul line
> GSU registered 26 rebounds, including two on the offensive glass
> Southern pulled down 34 rebounds, with 14 coming on the offensive end
> The Tigers finished with 22 points in the paint, 14 bench points, zero second-chance points and six fast break points
> The Jags recorded 28 points in the paint, 22 bench points, 21 second-chance points and four fast break points

Up Next
The Tigers continue conference play on Monday, February 10 as they host Alcorn State University. Tip-off against the Braves is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center in the second of two games of the SWAC doubleheader.


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