HOUSTON – Terry Rose scored 22 points as No. 10 seed Grambling State upset seventh-seeded Jackson State 84-75 in the first round of the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament on Tuesday.
Grambling State, 3-15 in conference play this season, avenged two regular-season losses to Jackson State — both by double-digits.
Chandler Thomas added 20 points and 14 rebounds for Grambling State (5-23).
Grambling State pushed ahead after it went on a 14-3 second-half run, with 3-pointers by Rose and A'Torri Shine, to take a 67-61 lead.
Jeff Stubbs made a basket to pull Jackson State within 75-73 with 2:19 left, but Jackson State would only make one more field goal for the remainder. Grambling State hit 7 of 8 free throws in the final 34 seconds to secure the win.
Julysses Nobles had 28 points, on 9-of-23 shooting, for Jackson State (11-20).
Grambling will play second-seeded Texas Southern on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.
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