Grambling State is this what we’re doing?! Looks like!!!
In the first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament appearance for the Grambling State University men’s basketball program, the Tigers won an overtime thriller over Montana State, 88-81, at the University of Dayton Arena.
Grambling State (21-14) eliminated a 14-point second-half deficit and withstood 13 Montana State three-pointers to snatch the victory.
Jimel Cofer was the unlikely hero for GSU scoring a career-high 19 points off the bench, with two rebounds and two steals. The sophomore from Marcos, Texas was nearly perfect from the field, going 7-for-9 and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
The Tigers got equally as strong performances from Jourdan Smith and Antwan Burnett who scored 18 points a piece. Smith narrowly missed a double-double in his NCAA Tournament debut, snagging nine rebounds with three blocks and two steals.
It has been a whirlwind week for the GSU men’s basketball team and following their 88-81 overtime win, they got a phone call from VP Kamala Harris.
“I watched the game into overtime and you all were pure excellence on that court,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a call to the team Thursday. “My husband and I were on the edge of our seats. I just had to call and say you all made me proud as an HBCU graduate, you all have got fans all over the place.”
UP NEXT
Grambling State heads to Indianapolis, Ind. to on No. 1 seed Purdue in the Round of 64. Friday’s tip-off is scheduled for 7:25 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and will be broadcast on TBS.
