Natchitoches, LA --- Donald Qualls sunk two free throws with 11-seconds remaining to seal the Tigers victory as Grambling handed the Northwestern State Demons a, 63-62, loss in the Demons Prather Coliseum.
Looking for their second win of the season the Tigers jumped out early and often on their host as they opened up a, 14-6, lead in the game opening minutes. Led by Qualls 11 first half points the Tigers pulled away by as much as nine point’s midway through the half with the Demons closing the score to, 34-31, at the break.
NSU opened the second half tying the game at 34 on a three-point basket from Damon Jones. Grambling quickly responded and pulled away by eight points 44-36 with 16:04 on the clock. An intense battled ensued from that point on as the half featured nine tied scores and four lead changes.
Down, 60-59, Grambling’s Ariece Perkins stripped the ball from Jones and found Kevin Lloyd under the Tigers basket for a lay-up putting Grambling up for good 61-60.
Qualls led all scorers with 25 points. Lloyd finished with 12 points, five assists and three rebounds while Perkins added 11 points. George Akpele had 10 rebounds and two blocked shots including a huge block of a Jones lay-up with 15-seconds remaining in the game.
The Demons were led by Will Pratt’s 15 points with four rebounds. Jones finished with 13 points and five rebounds; while William Mosley added seven points and a team high six rebounds.
Grambling returns to action December 22nd with they travel to Normal, IL to face Illinois State.
-GSU-