Smith, Grambling fend off Southern for a 69-68 win

Updated: Feb 4, 2018, 02:38 am

GRAMBLING, La. -- Ivy Smith Jr., scored 20 points and Devante Jackson added 15 points and Grambling held on to beat Southern 69-68 on Saturday in the Tigers' first home game since Jan. 15.

Smith missed 13 of 17 shots from field but made up for it shooting 12 of 15 from the foul line. Nigel Ribiero added 10 points for Grambling (11-12, 7-3 Southwestern Athletic).

With Grambling leading 69-66, Smith fouled Jared Sam with five seconds left after he converted a layup to reduce Southern's deficit to a point. But Sam missed the potential and-1 chance to tie it and time ran out.

Sam's layup gave Southern a 41-32 lead with 13:32 left. Grambling later went on an 8-0 run and Jackson tied it at 45 with a dunk. The teams traded leads before Jackson made two foul shots for a 61-60 lead that Grambling never gave up. Ribeiro made two fouls shots for a 69-66 lead with 15 second left.

Sam led Southern (9-14, 5-5) with 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 9 of 11 from the free throw line and Aaron Ray scored 14.