Stephen F. Austin
Grambling St.
SFA Falls to Grambling, 75-60
12/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 5, 2004
GRAMBLING, La. -- The Lumberjacks (2-3) came out strong early and built a 16-8 lead in the opening minutes, but the Grambling State Tigers rallied and overtook the Lumberjacks on their way to a 75-60 win Saturday night in Grambling. The Tigers (3-1) were led by Anthony WIlliams and Andre Ratliff with 17 points each while the Lumberjacks were led by Marcus Clark with 22.
Neither team shot the ball well early, but SFA controlled the glass got a couple of second chance baskets and an early three point basket by Anthony Paez in building its early lead. Grambling got better from the field as the half progressed and after Ratliff came off the bench for starter Marcus Watson, the Tigers ignited offensively. The Tigers outscored the 'Jacks 23-6 over the final nine minutes of the first half and took a 31-24 lead into halftime.
SFA came out in the second half and cut the lead to four points in the opening minutes, but could not sustain the momentum as Grambling answered the brief rally with key baskets. Grambling continued to shoot well in the second half of play, connecting on 16 of 29 field goal attempts (.552). The Tigers stretched the lead to as many as 18 before winning, 75-60.
Grambling State outrebounded the Lumberjacks 35-33 for the night and ended up shooting .475 (29-61) from the field. SFA ended the night shooting an even 40 percent (22-55) from the field and struggled from the free throw line making only 12 of 24 attempts (.500).
Hank Rivers led SFA with eight rebounds on the night while Marcus Clark pulled down six. Josh Porter had scored in double figures in each of the Lumberjacks first four games, but was held to only five points on two of 13 shooting in the game.
The 'Jacks travel to Alabama A&M Wednesday night.
