By Curtis Ford, Grambling State Associate AD for Athletic Communications; featured photo by Marcus Plummer
GRAMBLING — For the second year in the Grambling State captured the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season championship, this time with a 69-60 triumph over Bethune-Cookman on Monday night at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
The win secured the No. 1 seed in the upcoming SWAC Men’s Basketball in Birmingham, Ala. for the Tigers. It also marked the third regular season crown under head coach Donte’ Jackson.
Three GSU players scored in double figures in the victory. Jourdan Smith led the way with 17 points, five rebounds, two steals, one block and an assist. Tra’Micahel Moton added 14 points and Jalen Johnson tacked on 11 points.
Antwan Burnett nearly completed a double-double, dominating the boards with a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with nine points.
Grambling State (16-13 overall, 13-3 SWAC) played from in front for much of the game. The Tigers, trailing 12-11 with 12:37 on the clock in the first half, grabbed a 13-12 lead on a Mikael Stevenson layup and never trailed again.
Leading 23-22 with 5:21 left in the opening period, GSU used a 12-4 run over the next five minutes to grab a 35-26 advantage just before halftime. A BCU three-pointer as time expired set the score at 35-29 heading into halftime.
The Tigers quickly grew its lead to double figures, snagging a 44-33 advantage at the 16:55 mark. GSU continued to wear down the Wildcats throughout the half, taking its largest lead of the game, 60-43, on a three-pointer by Kintavious Dozier with 4:33 to play.
Bethune-Cookman (15-15, 10-7) tried to rally late, but could only get as close as seven points, as GSU preserved the win down the stretch.