By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Associate AD for Athletic Communications
Junior guard Mikale Stevenson scored a game-high 18 points as Grambling State earned an 81-77 victory over the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Monday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena.
Stevenson, who also grabbed six rebounds, dished out six assists with one steal, led five Tigers into double-figures.
Kintavious Dozier (15 points), Chilaydrien Newton (14 points), Ernest Ross (13 points) and Antwan Burnett (12 points) were the other G-Men to score in double-figures.
Grambling State (6-14 overall, 3-4 SWAC) also had one of its best nights shooting the ball, particularly from three-point range. GSU knocked down 11 threes, eight of which came in the first half, going 11-of-23 from behind the arc. The Tigers shot 52.8 percent from field (28-of-53).
After UAPB (3-17, 0-7) jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead, Ernest Ross answered with back-to-back baskets to give the Tigers its first four points of the game.
The Golden Lions maintained the lead for much of the opening period, grabbing a 29-24 advantage with 6:06 to remaining until halftime.
Dozier knocked down a 3-pointer to make it a two-point game, sparking a 12-3 run. Burnett followed with a driving lay-up tying the score at 29-29 with 3:56 on the clock. Dozier drained his third triple of the game of the Tigers next possession to give GSU its first lead of the contest, 32-29.
Mikale Stevenson capped the run with a layup, extending Grambling State’s advantage to 36-32 with 2:04 until halftime.
Burnett closed the period with a buzzer-beating three to give the Tigers a 42-37 cushion at the break.
Grambling State began the second half with an 8-0 run highlighted by a pair of threes by Dozier to nab its largest lead of the contest, 50-37.
With the Tigers lead 63-51 with 12:47 to play, the Golden Lions began to chip away the GSU’s lead. UAPB reeled of seven straight points to make it a 63-58 game with just under 10 minutes remaining.
Grambling State eventually stretched its lead back to double digits with Emareyon McDonald draining a trey give the Tigers a 72-60 lead. Arkansas-Pine Bluff did go down easily, however, using an 11-1 run and cut the lead to 73-72 with 2:25 to go.
Chilaydrien Newton came up with one of the biggest plays of the night on the following possession, driving to the bucket for a score and drawing a foul. He converted the free to make the score 76-72. A jumper by Ross followed by a free throw by Stevenson all but put the game out of reach with the Tigers holding a 79-72 lead with 43 second remaining in the contest.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Grambling State shot 52.8 percent from the field (28-of-53) and 47.8 percent (11-of-23) from three-point range. GSU was 14-of-21 at the free throw line (66.7 percent).
- GSU grabbed 29 rebounds.
- The Tigers committed 12 turnovers.
- Grambling State scored 28 points in the paint, 17 bench points, 13 points off turnovers, 12 second chance points and three fastbreak points.
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff shot 49.2 percent from the floor (31-of-63) and 45.8 percent from behind the arc (11-of-24). UAPB was 4-of-7 at the charity stripe (57.1 percent)
- The Golden Lions pulled down 33 rebounds.
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff committed 13 turnovers.
- UAPB scored 45 bench points, 40 points in the paint, 16 points off turnovers, 13 second chance points and four fastbreak points.
- The Golden Lions were led by Doctor Bradley who scored 17 points with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Up Next
Grambling State returns home on Saturday for a showdown versus Jackson State. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion GSU women’s basketball game versus JSU at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
