Grambling extends winning streak to 5 games

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Grambling State men's basketball coach Donte Jackson outlines where his team stands in its search for an identity two games into SWAC play. Cory Diaz/The News-Star

PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- The Grambling State University men’s basketball team had four players in double figures and survived a late Arkansas-Pine Bluff rally as the Tigers edged the last unbeaten team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with a 69-68 win on Saturday night at the H.O. Clemmons Arena.

Grambling State (9-12 overall, 5-3 SWAC) led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but Arkansas-Pine Bluff (7-15, 7-1) got a 3-pointer by Joe’Randle Toliver with 3 seconds left to cut the Tiger lead to 69-68. Anthony Gaston was fouled and sent to the free-throw line, where he missed both shots, but grabbed his own rebound with 2 seconds left to give Grambling State the thrilling win.

The Tigers during this five-game win streak, which began on Jan. 8, have defeated Alcorn State, Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern, Jackson State and now Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Ivy Smith, Jr. scored 13 of his team-high 18 points in the second half to pace Grambling State. Smith also added five steals, four assists and three rebounds. Shirmane Thomas registered a double-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, with four steals and one assist. Gaston tallied 10 points, seven boards, three assists and one steal, while Jason Perry-Murray recorded 10 points and a pair of rebounds.

Charles Jackson led the way for Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 14 points, three steals and two rebounds. Travon Harper tallied 10 points, seven boards and a pair of assists, while Martaveous McKnight registered nine points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Turning Point

Grambling State led 38-33 at the half and opened the second half on a 9-2 run, capped by a Smith layup with 15:34 remaining. Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered and cut the margin to 49-47 after a McKnight jumper with 10:19 left.

The Golden Lions took a 53-51 advantage after a pair of free throws by Christian Robertson with 8:40 left, but back came the Tigers as Thomas sank a 3-pointer with 7:49 remaining to give GSU a 57-54 lead.

Grambling State extended the margin to 64-59 after a Thomas trey with 4:39 left, but again Arkansas-Pine Bluff was able to chip away at the deficit and cut the GSU advantage to 66-65 with 2:34 left.

Smith sank a pair at the charity stripe with 1:17 left to give Grambling State a 68-65 advantage and a free throw by Thomas with five seconds left gave the Tigers a 69-65 lead. However, Toliver sank a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left, but could not get any closer as Grambling State secured its fifth straight win.