SHREVEPORT, LA---It’s early March but the madness has already begun as the 8th-seed Grambling State Tigers toppled the top-seeded Tigers of Jackson State, 65-57, in the 2010 Farmers Insurance SWAC Basketball Tournament and became the first 8th-seeded men’s team to beat the #1 seed in the SWAC Tournament since Alcorn State beat Mississippi Valley State 67-66 in 2004
In the first half it was the G-Men that controlled the game and the tempo opening up an 8-3 lead with just over five minutes to play. Jackson closed within two before GSU was able to open a 13 point lead at 24-11, however, JSU would scratch back to tie the game at 28 at the half. Grambling shot 32-percent from the field while, holding Jackson to only 25-percent from the floor. The Jackson Tigers held the rebounding edge 24-20.
In the second half Jackson jumped ahead 31-28 to begin the period and began what would turn into an epic battle as the teams went through two ties and four lead changes. Tied at 43 Grambling would move ahead for good on a three-point shot by Donald Qualls with 8:02 remaining. Jackson would come no closer than one down the stretch as Grambling held on for the win.
GSU was led by Qualls with 20 points, three steals and two assists. Rupert Rose added 13 points and four rebounds, with Rydell Harris turned in eight points and seven rebounds.
Jackson’s Garrison Johnson had a game high 27 points with six rebounds. Tyrone Hanson had nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists, while Rod Melvin added 12 points and De’Suan Dixon pulled in 12 rebounds.
GSU will play the Prairie View A&M – Texas Southern winner Friday night.
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