By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Associate AD for Athletic Communications; featured photo by Aniyah Rivers
ATLANTA — Grambling State University sailed to a 73-56 victory over Alabama A&M in the opening round of the 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament on Tuesday afternoon at the Gateway Center Arena.
Grambling State shot the ball exceptionally well, going 49.1 percent from the field (28-of-57), including 42.9 percent from deep (9-of-21). Defensively, the Tigers were sound, limiting the Bulldogs to 33.3 percent shooting and forcing 14 turnovers. GSU also out-rebounded AAMU 34-31.
Mikale Stevenson led a strong offensive effort, scoring a game-high 17 point on 7-of-9 shooting in the win. Stevenson also added three assists and two rebounds to his tally.
Not to be outdone, Kintavious Dozieradded 16 points, six assists, two steals and two rebounds. PJ Eason was also strong, contributing 12 points, seven rebounds, two steals and an assist.
With Alabama A&M leading 3-0 early in the first half, Grambling State used a 15-3 run capped by mid-range jumper by Stevenson to take a 15-6 lead with 12:25 remaining until halftime.
Timely 3-pointers shooting from Antwan Burnett and Chilaydrien Newton helped the Tigers grow that lead to 26-12 heading into a media timeout with 7:53 on the clock.
GSU continued to outwork AAMU in the opening half, maintaining a double-digit margin for the rest of the period and taking a 41-30 lead into the locker room.
Alabama A&M cut Grambling State’s lead to eight points, 55-47, on a 3-pointer by London Riley but Stevenson quickly answered with a fadeaway corner jumper to push the Tigers cushion back to double digits, 57-47, with 7:43 to play.
GSU dominated AAMU the rest of the way, eventually opening a 73-54 lead, its largest of the game on a bucket by Chilaydrien Newton 1:23 to play.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Grambling State shot 49.1 percent from the field (28-of-57) and 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from three-point range. GSU was 8-of-11 at the free throw line (72.7 percent).
- Grambling State grabbed 34 rebounds.
- GSU committed nine turnovers.
- The Tigers scored 32 points in the paint, 30 bench points, 16 points off turnovers, nine fastbreak points and eight second chance points.
- Alabama A&M shot 33.3 percent from the floor (17-of-51) and 48.0 percent from behind the arc (12-of-25). AAMU was 10-of-13 at the charity stripe (76.9 percent)
- The Bulldogs pulled down 31 rebounds.
- Alabama A&M committed 14 turnovers.
- AAMU finished with 28 bench points, 10 points in the paint, six fastbreak points, five points off turnovers and five second chance points.
- Quincy McGriff paced AAMU with 10 points and an assist.
Up Next
Grambling State takes on No 1 seed Southern in the SWAC Tournament Quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Gateway Center Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST and will be streamed on ESPN+.
