UNCASVILLE, Conn. | The Grambling State University men's basketball team erased a 19-point second half deficit, nearly overcoming Norfolk State, but fell 76-70 in the Toyota Chris Paul HBCU Classic presented by Walmart at the Mohegan Sun on Friday afternoon. 
 
GSU (2-9) had four players score in double figures with Ernest Ross and Louis Hutchinson scoring 15 points apiece. Ross added eight rebounds and two blocks to his tally, while Hutchinson tacked on three boards and a black.
 
Kintavious Dozier contributed 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block. Mikale Stevenson scored 13 points with five assists and a steal. 
 
Grambling State struggled to shift into gear in the first half, playing from behind for the entirety of the opening period. 
 
The Spartans (8-6) nabbed their largest lead of the half, 45-31, on a three-point by Dramane Camara with 36 second to go. 
 
GSU trailed 47-33 at halftime. 
 
Grambling State found its stride midway through the second half, however. After NSU pushed its advantage lead to 60-41 with 12:56 remining in the game, the Tigers began to shift momentum their way. 
 
GSU used a 25-6 run capped by a second-chance bucket by Ross to tie the game 66-66 with 2:47 to play. 
 
NSU's Jalen Myers responded with a three-pointer to put the Spartans back in front 69-66. 
 
Trailing 70-68 with 27 seconds left, the Tigers had a chance to take its first lead of the game, but a 3-pointer by Chilaydrien Newton rimmed out with NSU grabbing the rebound. The Spartans salted the game away at the free throw line. 
 
Norfolk State was led by Brian More Jr. who notched a double-double with a game-high 20 points with 10 rebounds to go along with four rebounds and two steals. 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Grambling State shot 44.6 percent from the field (25-of-56) and 23.8 percent (5-of-21) from three-point range. The Tigers were 15-of-17 at the free throw line (88.2 percent). 
• GSU grabbed 32 rebounds.
• The Tigers committed nine turnovers. 
• Grambling State scored 30 points in the paint, 30 bench points, 11 second chance points, nine points off turnovers and seven fastbreak points. 
• Norfolk State shot 49 percent from the floor (25-of-51) and 40 percent from behind the arc (6-of-15). The Spartans were 20-of-27 at the charity stripe (74.1 percent) 
• NSU grabbed 28 boards.
• The Spartans committed eight turnovers.
• Norfolk State scored 32 points in the paint, 22 bench points, 20 fastbreak points, 10 points off turnovers and four second chance points.

Up Next 
Grambling State returns to action on Sunday when the Tigers take on No. 19 Cincinnati. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. 
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