GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State fell 68-63 to Prairie View A&M on Monday night at the William J. Nicks Building, as the Tigers battled throughout but were unable to close the gap in the final minutes of the SWAC contest.
Jamil Muttilib led Grambling with a game-high 25 points and a team-best 10 rebounds, recording a double-double in 38 minutes of action. Muttilib shot 8-of-18 from the field, knocked down three three-pointers, and was perfect from the free throw line, finishing 6-of-6. He was a consistent scoring threat on the perimeter and in the paint, and his work on the glass helped the Tigers stay competitive throughout the night.
Grambling trailed by two at halftime, 35-33, after shooting 41.9 percent from the field in the opening half. Muttilib provided a spark with several baskets in the lane and a late three-pointer, while Derrius Ward added scoring from the perimeter and in transition. The Tigers remained within striking distance despite early foul trouble and turnovers.
The Tigers opened the second half with strong energy and briefly took the lead behind Muttilib and Jimel Lane, who scored 10 points off the bench. Ward finished with 11 points and three three-pointers, while Roderick Coffee III chipped in six points and seven assists. Grambling shot 44.4 percent from beyond the arc in the second half but struggled overall from the field, finishing at 37.7 percent for the game.
Prairie View's Dontae Horne led all Panthers with 26 points, using a steady mix of drives and trips to the free throw line to keep the home team in front late. The Panthers went to the line 29 times and converted 23 free throws, which proved to be a key factor in the outcome.
Grambling pulled within two points in the closing minutes, but Prairie View converted key free throws and defensive stops to seal the win. The Tigers collected 36 rebounds, scored 30 points in the paint, and added 18 second-chance points, but turnovers and missed opportunities down the stretch kept them from completing the comeback.
UP NEXT
Grambling State travels to Baton Rouge, La. to take on Southern on Saturday at the F.G. Clark Center. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
