PHOENIX, Ariz. | Three Grambling State University men's basketball players scored in double figures as the Tigers closed out play on Monday in the Boost Mobile Chris Paul HBCU Challenge with a 70-63 loss to Norfolk State at the Footprint Center.

Grambling State (2-5) tied the game four times in an effort to come out victorious, but it wasn't enough as the Spartans held the Tigers to just one field goal during the final three minutes.

AJ Taylor registered a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds to lead Grambling State. Danya Kingsby added another 12 points, three rebounds and one assist, while Tra'Michael Moton finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Grambling State raced out to an 8-4 lead after an AJ Taylor jumper with 13:44 left in the first half
- Norfolk State answered with a small 6-0 run, capped by a Chris Ford layup, with 11:47 left as the Spartans grabbed a 10-8 advantage
- A free throw by Ford gave Norfolk State it's largest lead of the half, 22-16, with just under six minute remaining
- Grambling State battled back with a 7-1 run, capped by a thunderous Prince Moss dunk with 4:04 left
- The Tigers tied the game at 26 after a Taylor trey with 3:12 remaining
- However, the Spartans finished the first half strong and took a 33-30 advantage into the break
- Norfolk State pushed the margin to 38-32 after a Nyzaiah Chambers bucket less than two minutes into the second half
- Grambling State closed the gap to 40-39 as Cameron Christon drained a 3-pointer with 16:16 left
- The Tigers tied the game at 52 as Taylor scored on a layup with just over 10 minutes remaining
- Norfolk State (8-1) slowly started to put some distances between the Tigers and took a 62-54 advantage after a Joe Bryant fastbreak layup with 7:37 left
- However, Grambling State started to reel in Norfolk State, closing the margin to 64-60, after a bucket by Taylor with just over three minutes remaining
- The Spartans defense held the Tigers to only one field during the final three minutes as Norfolk State picked up the 70-63 victory

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Grambling State shot 32.3 percent (20-of-62) from the floor and 75 percent (18-of-24) from the free-throw line
- AJ Taylor registered 16 points, 14 rebounds and one blocked shot
- Danya Kingsby added 12 points, three boards, two steals and one assist
- Tra'Michael Moton recorded 12 points, five rebounds four assists and a pair of steals
- The Tigers finished with 26 points in the paint, 13 points off 15 Norfolk State turnovers, 10 fastbreak points, 10 second-chance points and six bench points
- Norfolk State went 26-of-53 (49.1 percent) shooting from the field and 14-of-24 (58.3 percent) from the charity stripe
- Kris Bankston also registered a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds
- Joe Bryant tallied nine points, four rebounds and one assist
- The Spartans finished with 38 points in the paint, 30 bench points, 15 fastbreak points, 10 points off 10 Grambling State turnovers and nine second-chance points

UP NEXT
The Tigers will return home to play host to Jarvis Christian College on Thursday at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

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