DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. | Grambling State dropped a 74-65 decision to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday afternoon at Moore Gymnasium.
Grambling State moved to 8-8 overall and 2-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), while Bethune-Cookman improved to 5-10 overall and 2-0 in the conference play.
Bethune-Cookman built early momentum and took control in the opening half, shooting 43.8 percent from the field while limiting Grambling to 24 points before halftime. The Wildcats knocked down four three-pointers in the first 20 minutes and carried a 35-24 lead into the break.
Grambling State showed improved offensive rhythm in the second half, scoring 41 points and cutting into the deficit on several occasions. The Tigers trimmed the margin to single digits multiple times behind aggressive play in transition and at the free-throw line, but Bethune-Cookman answered with timely baskets to keep control.
Rickey Ballard led Grambling State with 14 points, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc. Roderick Coffee III followed with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Antonio Munoz added 11 points and five assists. Derrius Ward chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench, and Devyn Franklin contributed six points and a team-high eight rebounds.
The Tigers finished the game shooting 39.3 percent from the field and were limited to 4-of-20 shooting from three-point range. Grambling forced 17 Bethune-Cookman turnovers and converted them into 22 points, but second-chance opportunities were scarce as the Wildcats held a rebounding edge and scored 15 second-chance points.
Bethune-Cookman placed four players in double figures, led by Daniel Rouzan's 15 points. Tyler Andrews, Jakobi Heady and Quentin Heady each scored 12 points, with Andrews knocking down four three-pointers. The Wildcats scored 40 points in the paint and used a balanced attack to maintain their advantage.
Despite a late push that cut the deficit to seven in the final minute, Grambling State was unable to complete the comeback as Bethune-Cookman sealed the game at the free-throw line.
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