SALT LAKE CITY, Utah | it's always guaranteed to be an entertaining game when the Grambling State and Southern men's basketball teams meet on the hardwood, and Saturday was no different. GSU earned a hard fought 69-64 overtime victory over the Jaguars in the 2023 NBA HBCU Classic at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. 

The Tigers withstood a furious second half rally by Southern, to earn its 18th win of the season, the most wins since the 1980-81season.

Shawndarius Cowart led four players in double-figures, blitzing the Jaguars, blazing SU for 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. Jourdan Smith and Carte'Are Gordon both added 14 points. Cameron Christon contributed 10 points. 

Grambling State's defense clamped down the Jaguars, holing them to just 30.9 percent shooting (21-of-68).

For much of the first half, neither team could break away from each other. With SU ahead 24-23 with 3:37 left in the period, Cowart nailed a jump shot, sparking an 8-1 run to close to the half. The Tigers led 31-25 at the break. 

GSU (18-8 overall, 11-3 SWAC) bullied SU (13-14, 9-5) to start the second half, crafting a commanding 51-37 lead with 12:19 to go. However, the pesky Jaguars didn't go away quietly. Southern used a 22-5 run to grab a 59-56 lead with 3:25 left in regulation.

Christon extinguished the run by splashing a clutch 3-pointer with 1:53 remaining to tie the game at 59. Cowart inched the Tigers ahead 61-59 on a jumper with 56 seconds left. SU's Brion Whitley sank a three with 36 second on the clock to retake the lead 62-61. 

With 17 second to go, Gordon drew a shooting foul under the basket, splitting his free throws and sent the game into OT with the score set at 62-62. 

In the extra period, GSU never let the Jaguars gain its footing, limiting Southern to just two points on two free throws early in the period. Gordon came up with a big bucket, fighting through contact and a foul, making the score 66-64 in favor of the Tigers. Tra'Michael Moton put the dagger in the Jaguars, driving to the hoop for a clutch score while drawing a foul. He covered his free throw, securing the 69-64 triumph for Grambling State.

For the game, the Tigers went 26-of-58 from the field (44.8 percent). While Southern relied heavily on the three-ball, GSU focused on creating high percentage shots, only attempting nine shots from deep (2-of-9). Grambling State was also better at the charity stripe converting 15-of-23 of its attempts (65.2 percent) while Southern knocked down just 50 percent of its free throws (12-of-24). 

Up Next

Grambling State travels to Tallahassee, Fla. for contest versus Florida A&M on Feb. 25. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. EST, 3 p.m. CST. 

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