Buzzer-beaters lift Grambling past Texas Southern in overtime

HOUSTON – Grambling State’s Ivy Smith hit buzzer-beater shots in regulation and overtime to lift the visiting Tigers to an 88-87 win Saturday over Texas Southern.
 
Smith scored 24 points to lead Grambling State (9-9, 3-2 SWAC), which handed Texas Southern its second loss in as many games.
 
John Jones scored a team-high 14 points to lead four Texas Southern players scoring in double-figures. Jalyn Patterson added 12 points and Devocio Butler chipped in 11 points for hometown Tigers.
 
Eden Ewing posted a double-double for TSU (7-10, 2-2 SWAC) with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Jeremy Combs finished a point shy of a double-double, scoring nine points and pulling down a team-high 14 rebounds.
 
TSU took a 77-73 lead when Patterson knocked down a 3-pointer with 46 seconds remaining in regulation. Three seconds later, Smith was fouled and promptly hit two free throws to cut TSU’s lead to two points.
 
After the hometown Tigers were held without a basket on their next possession, Smith hit a layup with two seconds left to force overtime.
 
In overtime, TSU led by as many as four points, but Grambling cut into the lead again. In the final minute, GSU trailed by three when DeVante Jackson hit a jumper with 45 seconds left. TSU used the entirety of their shot clock, but came up empty, giving Grambling one more chance with 10 seconds remaining.
 
With that next possession, GSU went down the court, and Smith put Grambling ahead with a shot with three seconds remaining. TSU managed to get the ball across the court, but the final shot was blocked, preserving the victory for Grambling.
 
TSU shot 62 percent (18 of 29) from the free throw line. Grambling shot 71 percent (29 of 41) from the free throw line.
 
Texas Southern returns to the court Monday when they host Jackson State at 6 p.m. The game will be aired on ESPNU.