Grambling men’s basketball team remains winless through 16 games this season. The Tigers were defeated on Saturday night by Jackson State, 57-46, at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. JSU snapped a six-game losing streak with their win while GSU remains at the bottom of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Three Tigers scored doubled figures in the game. Steven Dandridge had a team high with 11 points, Terry Rose had 10 points and six rebounds and Peter Robertson scored 10 points in the lost. The Tigers welcomed Robertson back to the line up after flu-like symptoms.
At halftime, it appeared that the Tigers had a fighting chance to get at win. They led by two points, 26-24.
“I wanted to come out to score so we can get a bigger lead,” said Dandridge.
Dandridge came out of halftime on fire scoring the Grambling’s first six points. After a media time out, JSU turned up the pressure. They went on a 16-1 run that blew the game open, 45-35. With a 10 point lead, Coach Joseph Price called a time out.
JSU’s run was stopped with a layup from David Copeland to make the score 45-37 with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Dandridge and Robertson combine for 16 of the 20 points scored in the second half. Rose made a three-pointer jumper but it was too late for the game had already been decided.
“We have been watching film and improved preparation for the game to help our team get more points in the paint,” said Dandridge, the junior center from Chicago.
The Tigers have had strong starts in the last couple games but have struggled to defend and score enough points to grab a win. Coach Price hopes that his team can learn to play the whole game while concentration on sound defense and making free throws consistently.
Grambling recognized this game as Alumni Night. The eventful evening began with a celebration of the Tiger Pride 250 members. Throughout the evening, the reception will be held for the 250 donors sponsored by First National Bank in the foyer of the Assembly Center.
Kelsey Howard, JSU’s guard, scored 21 points while Christian Williams, JSU’s forward, added 12 points.
The Tigers are set to play Arkansas Pine Bluff (7-12, 6-1 SWAC) on Saturday at the Assembly Center at six.