From Grambling State University Sports Information:
GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University men’s basketball team will look to get back into the win column as the Tigers conclude their three-game road trip this weekend against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Mississippi Valley State in a pair of Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) games.
Tip-off from H.O. Clemons Arena on Saturday against UAPB is set for 5:30 p.m., while the Monday tilt with the Delta Devils is set for 7:30 p.m. from the Harrison HPER Complex.
Grambling State (13-14 overall, 7-7 SWAC), which fell into the sixth spot after last Saturday’s loss to Jackson State, has already clinched a spot in the 2019 SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Tigers could claim the tiebreaker over Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a win on Saturday.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (11-17, 8-7) have dropped its last two games, including a 48-44 loss to Prairie View A&M on Monday. The Golden Lions have clinched a tournament seed and can clinch a top-four seed by winning out. Arkansas-Pine Bluff is looking to avoid a season sweep to Grambling State.
Mississippi Valley State (5-24, 3-12) enters the weekend on a two-game losing streak. The Delta Devils will face off against Jackson State on Saturday before playing host to Grambling State on Monday. Mississippi Valley State must win out and have either Alcorn State or Southern lose all remaining games to clinch a tournament spot. The Delta Devils will look to avoid a season sweep of Grambling State.
ABOUT ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
> Arkansas-Pine Bluff is averaging 63.9 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 71.2 points
> UAPB is shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 68.0 percent from the foul line
> Martaveous McKnight, the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year, paces the Golden Lions offense at 20.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, followed by Shaun Doss at 12.6 points and 4.2 boards per game
ABOUT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE
> Mississippi Valley State is averaging 64.3 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 78.4 points
> UAPB is shooting 38.1 percent from the field and 65.4 percent from the foul line
> Dante Scott paces the Delta Devils offense at 13.0 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, followed by Jordan Evans at 12.5 points and 2.1 boards per game
LAST TIME OUT
> Grambling State is coming off a 71-60 loss to Jackson State on Feb. 23
> Ivy Smith, Jr. was the lone Tiger in double figures with 19 points and four rebounds
> The Tigers shot 39.6 percent from the floor and 88.9 percent from the free-throw line
NOTABLES
> Ivy Smith leads the SWAC in assists per game, free-throws attempted, free-throws made and total assists
> Ivy Smith is 17 points shy of 1,000 for his collegiate career
> Dallas Polk-Hilliard is second in the conference in double-doubles with six
> The Tigers lead the SWAC in 13 different categories, including total rebounds and total rebounds per game
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
> Grambling State surpassed the 100-point plateau in a 105-68 victory over Jarvis Christian to begin the season
> The Tigers defeated Niagara on Nov. 23 in the Fort Myers Tip-Off Classic
> Grambling State won back-to-back games over Portland and Southeastern Louisiana
> Ivy Smith, Jr. poured in 24 points, including the game-winner, in an 88-87 overtime win over Texas Southern on Jan. 19
PRESEASON POLL
> Grambling State was predicted to win to repeat as the SWAC regular season champion
GRAMBLING STATE BASKETBALL HISTORY
> Grambling State won its first SWAC regular season championship in 30 years last year
> Charles “Charlie Red) Hardnett and Willis Reed are notable alums of the basketball program
UP NEXT
Grambling State completes its three-game road trip on Monday against Mississippi Valley State. The Tigers will concluded the regular season on Thursday, March 7 against Alabama State and Saturday, March 9 against Alabama A&M at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
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