BOXSCORE
GRAMBLING - The Alabama A&M Bulldogs gave up an 19 point second half lead to give the Grambling State Tigers a 76-69 victory Thursday evening in the Fred C. Hobdy Arena.
A&M (13-13, 10-7 SWAC) shot a season best 59% from the field in the first half and did no wrong connecting on 16 of 27 from the field and 5 of 6 for 83 percent from the three-point line.
After trailing 40-25 at the intermission, GSU took command of the game by opening the second half on a 23-8 run. During that span the Tigers connected on four three pointers, three of which came courtesy of senior guard Donald Qualls.
A free-throw by Rupert Rose with 7:48 remaining gave the Black and Gold their first lead since the game's opening basket. Qualls gave the Tigers their largest lead of the night by capping an unconventional lay-up with 2:42 remaining.
The Bulldogs shot 44% from the floor while, the Tigers were a solid 48 percent from the field for the game.
Casey Cantey led the Maroon and White with 21 points while Cornelius Hester and Bo Amusa chipped in 18 and 16 respectively.
The Tigers dominated the rebounding edge on the evening 40-22.
A&M will return to action when they travel to complete the regular season with Jackson State on Saturday, March 5. Game time is slated for 5 p.m. in Jackson, Mississippi.
