Next Game:
at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
1/11/2025 | 5:30 p.m.
SWAC Digital Network
KTSU 90.9 FM
Jan. 11 (Sat) / 5:30 p.m.
at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
History
TSU overcame a four-point deficit in overtime with defense and clutch free throw shooting to defeat Grambling State 71-66 Monday night inside the H&PE Arena.
Based on the past history between both teams, the contest would be close and it was to begin with as TSU would claim an early 11-7 lead as Kenny Hunter led the way for the Tigers with four early points but GSU's Ernest Ross would set the tone for a rare battle of post players with five points.
After the early lead, Grambling State would begin to settle into a groove as the Tigers would go on a 15-5 run over the next 5:25 as Mikale Stevenson capped the run off with a layup off a TSU turnover for a 22-16 lead. TSU's Grayson Carter would end the drought with a three-pointer that bounced in and the Tigers would settle down as Zaire Hayes scored five points to jumpstart a 10-4 surge to knot the contest at 26-all with 4:10 left.
Grambling State would move back ahead by four for the next minute but TSU's defense rose to the occasion as Jaylin Jackson-Posey blocked a shot which turned into a Josh Farmer dunk as TSU trailed 30-28 with 1:22 left. Hayes' jumper with 35 seconds left tied it up at 30-all and TSU would move ahead 32-30 at the end of the half after a missed GSU jumper courtesy of Kavion McClain's jumper with a second left.
The second half would see TSU claw its way through with several opportunities to move ahead by a large margin but GSU found ways to keep it close when the momentum was beginning to swing TSU's way. TSU would find itself up by seven on three occasions within the final 8:25 with the last at the 2:06 mark after Hayes' jumper.
Once again, the history books would come into play from that point as the turnover bug haunted TSU. The Tigers committed two crucial turnovers at the 1:11 and 56 second mark which led to GSU chipping away at the lead from the free throw line. With TSU ahead 57-55 in the final 30 seconds, the Tigers had a chance for a two-possession lead but missed the jumper. Grambling State was fouled with 13 seconds left on a drive attempt and connected on the game-tying free throws at 57-all. TSU had a shot to win it but turned the ball over with two seconds left as GSU's game-tying desperation shot fell short.
GSU's Mikale Stevenson opened the overtime period with a bucket but Jaylin Jackson-Posey answered calmly with a three-pointer to move ahead 63-62. The contest would turn physical from that point as GSU would move ahead 64-60 with 2:06 left after a free throw. However, TSU would counter as Zaire Hayes hit a big three-pointer to cut the deficit to 64-63 at the 1:50 mark.
Grambling State was fouled on the ensuing attempt but an injury forced them to change free throw shooters. They would miss both attempts with 1:36 left and the game came down to the free throw line as Hayes hit 1-of-2 to tie it at 64. Hayes was fouled again after a GSU miss and hit two more free throws for a 66-64 lead and came up big defensively with a steal but the ensuing free throw were missed. Grambling State would miss a three-point attempt at the 23 second mark and TSU would ice the game from the line with five points in the final 17 seconds.
Hayes continued his superb play with 24 points while McClain added 11 with five assists. Jackson-Posey grabbed nine rebounds with five assists while Kenny Hunter blocked five shots, grabbed six rebounds with five steals.
TSU will travel to UAPB at 5:30 p.m. Saturday live on the SWAC Digital Network.
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Source: https://tsusports.com/news/2025/1/6...aw-out-overtime-win-over-grambling-state.aspx