Tigers Pull Away from Braves in Final Minutes

LORMAN, Miss. – The last three minutes went Grambling State's way as the Tigers broke a back-and-forth battle to top the Alcorn State University men's basketball program 72-61 Monday at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
 
The Braves (4-13, 0-4 SWAC) led 57-56 at the 8:19 mark after a pair of free throws by junior Dante Sterling. It remained a one possession game with under four minutes left when the Tigers (5-12, 1-3 SWAC) went on a late run to create separation.
 
The seesaw battle featured 10 ties and 18 lead changes.
 
Sterling ended with 14 points and was one of four double-figure scorers for Alcorn. Sophomore Yalen Reed posted 14 points on a perfect six-for-six shooting. Sophomore Maurice Howard and freshman Troymain Crosby netted 10 points apiece.
 
GSU was guided by Anthony Gaston's game-high 16 points. Ivy Smith Jr. scored 15 and Jason Perry-Murray tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Braves trailed 11-7 early when Crosby scored on a driving lay-up and Howard sunk a pair of free throws after a technical foul to tie it at the 11:34 mark. Alcorn kept it going for a 10-0 run which included another drive by Crosby and a three-pointer by senior Avery Patterson to go up 17-11 with 10:45 remaining.
 
After the Tigers came back to tie it 17-17, Howard drilled a three-pointer from the corner to put the Braves up 20-17 with 7:44 left. Though, GSU scored the next three baskets to jump ahead 24-20 with 6:31 to go.
 
The Tigers led 29-23 when Howard and Crosby nailed three-pointers to even it 29-29 at the 3:22 mark. A turn-around lay-up by Crosby got the Braves on top 31-29 to cap an 8-0 spurt. Alcorn carried a 33-31 edge at the break.
 
The Braves scored the first four points of the second half on lay-ups by Reed and Mosby to lead 37-31. GSU came back with a quick five points to make it a 37-36 game with 18:19 remaining, and a three-pointer by Gaston gave the Tigers a 41-40 advantage with 16:52 to go.
 
Alcorn trailed 52-51 when Sterling swished a three-pointer from the left corner to regain the lead with 10:05 left. However, GSU answered with a pair of lay-ups and a dunk to go back up 62-57 at the 7:22 mark.
 
The Tigers led by four with 3:39 left when they used a decisive 6-0 run to go up 70-60 with 1:28 remaining.
 
The Braves will be back on the road next weekend beginning with a 5:30 p.m. contest Saturday at Mississippi Valley State. Alcorn knocked MVSU out of the conference tournament last year 63-60 on March 7, 2017.
 
NOTES
- It marked just the second-time GSU defeated Alcorn in the last eight meetings.
 
- It was the first time this season that Alcorn fell after leading at the half.
 
- The Braves are now 15-5 at home over the last two seasons.
 
- Alcorn entered the game leading the SWAC in field goal percentage defense (.450) and limited the Tigers to a .400 (24-60) mark.
 
- Sterling continued his streak of making at least one three-pointer in every game this season as he drained a trio. It was his 10th double-figure scoring game this year and third in the last four matches.
 
- Reed notched his fourth career double-digit scoring outing and second this year. The SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year also swatted a couple blocks in the game.
 
- Howard turned in his 14th career double-figure scoring game, sixth this year and third in his last four matches. He entered the game ranked top-five in the conference in three-pointers made per game (2.0) and was on par with a couple made.
 
- Crosby, a true freshman, registered his fifth double-figure scoring game and second in the last three contests. His six rebounds were one shy of his career-high.
 
- In his third season, head coach Montez Robinson hoists a 26-14 SWAC record.
 
- Alcorn continued to play without SWAC Preseason Player of the Year Reginal Johnson who broke his leg at Tulane. Johnson was an HBCU All-American last season.
 
Quoting Alcorn head coach Montez Robinson
Opening Statement
"It goes back to what we've been saying after every conference game – we're getting beat on the glass. When you give up 20 offensive rebounds, that's where the game is lost. It's about wanting to go get it and wanting to go win a game. The second chance points continue to really hurt us and we're not going to win a game that way."
 
On Grambling going on a run down the stretch
"Turnovers. We just kept turning over the ball. We can't get shots or make field goals when we're kicking it out of bounds or letting the ball slip through our hands. We didn't take care of the ball or value a possession. We have guards and seniors turning over the ball. Late in the game, the ball becomes even more valuable and we didn't even give ourselves a chance to make plays."
 
On Alcorn's defense
"We're having trouble defending without fouling. In the first half, we looked at our bench and a lot of guys had two fouls. We got a big contribution from Yalen Reed who came in and played more than we originally planned, but to his credit, he really battled. He's shaking off the rust from his injury and he battled."
 
Final thoughts
"There's just no consistency right now. We knew coming into tonight that we'd need more bench scoring. Well, we got that bench scoring tonight, but we didn't get much from our starters. It obviously hasn't been going as planned, but we can't get down on ourselves or start pointing fingers. We have to be able to find a way and guys have to take it upon themselves to win one-on-one battles. We have to be the team that wins on the glass, gets to the free throw line and doesn't turn the ball over. Everywhere I've ever coached and every mentor I've ever had says the same thing. We have to win those categories, but we haven't been able to yet."
 
#FearTheBrave