Sports

Tigers roll, win three in a row in last home games

The Tigers finish the season with an 11-2 home record. GSU ATHLETICS/Courtesy photo

After a troubling loss against a tough Texas Southern team, the Tigers bounced back and played well in their final home games of the season. First up was against a depleted Jackson State team. With four players ending in double digits, Jackson State saw themselves holding the game close. It wouldn’t be until the clock hit just under thirty seconds that the go ahead shot by Devante Jackson would put Grambling up and allow the Tigers to stall the clock out on defense. Jackson added 15 points, tied with teammates Ivy Smith Jr. and Cameron Christon as the team’s leading scorers, adding a combined 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Jackson State had four players in double figures, led by Venjie Wallis with 15 points and five rebounds. With significantly more trips to the free throw line, Grambling was able to tack on additional easy points to keep the game close with the lead only changing four times in the game. The next game pitted the Tigers against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Saturday’s key matchup. In a one-sided game, the Tigers managed to keep the Lions at bay to secure another home victory, winning by 14 points. When the first half ended, Grambling held a narrow four point lead that would eventually grow over the duration of the second half, as UAPB was outscored 35-25 in the half. Their lead scorer Markedric Bell seemed to carry the load of the team, putting up 26 points and 10 rebounds while none of his teammates peaked higher than four points. On the Grambling end, Prince Moss led all scorers with 15 points and three assists while Devante Jackson added 10 points and seven rebounds. The heavily one-sided game gave the Tigers their tenth home win of the season. For the final home game of the season, the group matched up against Mississippi Valley State. Similar to the previous game, the Tigers were able to pick up an easy win. Mississippi Valley’s lead scorer Michael Green put up 26 points and three rebounds to lead his team in scoring, above teammate Caleb Hunter who added 14 points and seven rebounds. Mississippi Valley’s team ended the game shooting just under 34 percent for the game compared to Grambling’s 47 percent. The Tigers were led again by Prince Moss with a big double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds with 14 and 11 points from teammates Ivy Smith Jr. and Kelton Edwards respectively. With the final score of 81- 61, the win gave the Tigers their third in a row and polished off a great 11-2 home record for the team. Ahead of them, they’ll play their final two games against Alabama A&M and Alabama State as they sit fourth in the SWAC with plans to play in the SWAC Championship Tournament March 13-14 in Birmingham, Ala..