LORMAN, Miss. – The Alcorn State University men's basketball program trimmed a 20-point deficit down to just one in the second half, but Grambling State was able to make a run down the stretch to grab a 65-53 decision Saturday at the Davey L. Whitney Complex.
Alcorn (8-15, 4-7 SWAC) trailed 42-22 at the 14:40 mark in the second half when it went on a huge 19-0 run to cut the deficit to just 42-41 with 9:55 left. Though, GSU (13-11, 7-4 SWAC) was able to score the next two baskets to go back up by five points, and the Braves weren't able to get the momentum back for a final push.
Sophomore
Troymain Crosby registered 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds to lead the way. Senior
Reginal Johnson recorded 14 points, and junior
Maurice Howard tallied 11.
GSU was paced by Ivy Smith who finished with 16 points, five assists and four steals. DeVante Jackson ended with 12 points and five rebounds, while Dallas Polk-Hilliard had 10 points and five rebounds.
The Braves outrebounded the Tigers 38-36. However, GSU was 19-for-12 (.826) from the free throw line, compared to Alcorn's 9-for-16 (.563).
Alcorn got off to a sluggish start and GSU raced out to a 12-0 lead. The Braves trailed 18-4 when Howard scored a fast-break lay-up and then hit a three to trail 18-9 at the 9:54 mark.
The Braves were down 20-11 when the Tigers used an 8-0 spurt to take a big 30-11 advantage with 4:02 remaining. Alcorn scored the final points of the half on a lay-up by Johnson and a free throw by junior
Devon Brewer to trail 32-16 at the intermission.
GSU opened up a 40-20 lead within the first five minutes of the second half.
Alcorn's 19-0 run got started with a lay-up by sophomore
Jael Scott. Crosby followed with two free throws, and then Howard drilled a three-pointer to make it a 42-29 game. The Braves kept it going with an old-fashion three-point play by Crosby, and another three by Howard. Alcorn was down just 42-41 after Johnson nailed a three with 9:55 to go.
On the ensuing possession, the Tigers were able to break Alcorn's press and throw down a dunk to end the streak. Alcorn then missed two three-point attempts on the same possession, and GSU garnered a lay-up on the other end to stop the threat for good.
The Tigers pushed their lead back up into double-digits, 56-45, with 5:17 left.
The Braves head to Mississippi Valley State on Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. tip. Alcorn won the first meeting this year 63-57 at home, and are 7-2 against MVSU under head coach
Montez Robinson.
NOTES
- The Braves dropped to 8-3 at home this year where they've outscored the opposition 822-662.
- Alcorn head coach
Montez Robinson is now 37-28 in his career in the SWAC. He's in his fourth season.
- The 19-0 run was the most consecutive points the Braves have scored in a game this season. The last time Alcorn scored at least 19 straight points was against Rust College on Dec. 1, 2017.
- Alcorn's .563 free throw percentage was uncharacteristic. The team entered the game shooting a league-leading .679 from the line.
- Crosby reached double-figures in scoring for the 23rd time in his career and 12th time this year. It was the third time this year he's had at least seven assists.
- Howard turned in his seventh straight double-figure scoring outing, 16th this year and 38th in his career. The SWAC's leading three-point shooter, Howard has now made at least a trio of three-pointers in 14 games this season. He logged 38 minutes.
- Johnson etched his 66th career double-figure scoring game and 11th this year. He's now up to 1,255 career points.
Quoting Alcorn head coach Montez Robinson
On what decided the game
"It came down to the first half. It was a terrible first half. It was like our basket had a lid on it. We missed shots that we're accustomed to making, and we weren't even making free throws. We are the number one free throw shooting team in the conference."
On the second half
"The second half was better. We came out and cut a 20 point lead to 1. Our guys then got too relaxed. Throughout the game there was just a lack of focus. We did enough defensively and held them to 43 percent shooting. Down the stretch they played great close-out basketball. They got it in their best player's hand and he made some unbelievable shots. He's easily the quickest point guard in the league. I'd put him up there with some of the best point guards in the country. Though, we have to get more from
Devon Brewer, Khari Allen and Deshaw Andrews. We need a fourth scorer."
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