By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Associate AD for Atletic Commincations
NEWARK, N.J. — Tra’Michael Moton dazzled fans on Saturday afternoon, scoring a game-high 19 points as the Grambling State University men’s basketball team defeated Jackson State 70-62 in the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic at Prudential Arena.
Moton, a senior from Shreveport, La., shot 50.0 percent from the field (7-of-14). He was 2-for-3 from three-point range and 3-for-4 on free throws. He added four rebounds and pair of assists to his tally in route to the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic MVP award.
The victory improved GSU to 9-12 overall and 6-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). JSU fell to 8-13, 4-4 SWAC.
Jalen Johnsonwas equally as effective on the offensive end of the floor for GSU, contributing 15 points with four rebounds and two assists.
Jackson State was in front for much of the first half, marching out to a 24-16 lead with 6:11 remaining until halftime. It was around that point that the Tigers began to find their rhythm.
Trailing 26-19, Johnson scored a layup to make it 26-21. He knocked down a pair of free throws a couple of possessions later, trimming the deficit to three, 26-23, with 2:55 to go in the half. Following a JSU bucket, Antwan Burnett drilled a three-point to make it 28-26.
Following a Jackson State free throw, Terrence Lewisnailed his second triple of the game to tie the game 29-29 heading into halftime.
Both teams traded baskets in the early moments of the second half. With JSU ahead 40-39 at the 13:22 mark, a pair of free throws by Jourdan Smithput GSU ahead 41-40. Grambling State scored the next five points to push its advantage to 46-40 with 10:31 to go.
GSU never trailed again, wearing JSU down the rest of the way.
Jackson State was led by Ken Evans who scored 15 points with five rebounds, five assists and a steal.