GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State fell to Southern University, 71-53, on Saturday afternoon at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.

GSU fell to 8-10 overall, 2-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) while SU improved to 7-11, 3-2 in conference. 

Southern controlled the game from the opening tip, jumping out to a double-digit lead late in the first half. The Jaguars forced turnovers early and capitalized in transition, taking a 34-22 advantage into the locker room. Grambling struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the opening 20 minutes, shooting just 31.8 percent from the field while being held without a made three-pointer.

The Tigers opened the second half looking to cut into the deficit, but Southern quickly pushed the margin to 15 and then 20 behind efficient shooting and continued pressure defense. Southern opened the half with a 15-0 run, extending the lead to 37-22 and later building the advantage to as many as 27 points.

Grambling found more success offensively in the second half, scoring 31 points after the break and knocking down three three-pointers, but could not string together enough stops to threaten the Jaguars. Southern finished the game shooting 44.6 percent from the field and scored 29 points off turnovers, compared to eight for the Tigers.

Derrius Ward led Grambling with 11 points, while Jimel Lane and Jamil Muttilib each added 10. Chancellor Perkins chipped in five points and four rebounds off the bench. Grambling won the rebounding battle 38-32 and outscored Southern 32-15 in bench points, but committed 23 turnovers that proved costly.

Southern was led by Fazl Oshodi, who scored a game-high 16 points, while Michael Jacobs added 14 points and nine assists. AJ Barnes and Terrance Dixon Jr. each scored 10 points for the Jaguars, who also recorded 24 fast-break points.

UP NEXT
Grambling State faces Mississippi Valley State in another home contest on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. and will be streamed on SWAC TV>