Grambling defeats Hampton 72-81

Grambling Edges Hampton in NCC Battle at Gateway Center

In a closely contested non-conference matchup, the visiting Grambling State Tigers (57.0%) secured an 81-72 victory over their hosts, the Hampton Pirates (50.9%), at the Gateway Center on Saturday evening.

The game's narrative was defined by Grambling's steady offense and Hampton's inconsistent shooting, which ultimately led to the Tigers' nine-point win margin.

As we entered halftime, the away team held a slim 38-33 lead, with Grambling's strong rebounding efforts playing a crucial role in its early success. The Tigers outrebounded their opponents by seven on the glass, 43-36, and capitalized on those opportunities to build an early advantage.

In the second half, Grambling continued to thrive behind Antonio Munoz (23 points, 5 rebounds), who scored eight of his points during a 12-2 run that stretched the Tigers' lead to as many as 16 points. Meanwhile, Hampton struggled with its outside shooting, going just 4-for-13 from beyond the arc.

Despite a late surge from the Pirates, Grambling maintained its composure and closed out the game on a strong note, with Roderick Coffee III (7 points, 6 assists) contributing to the Tigers' victory with his all-around play.

The Tigers' balanced attack, which included standout performances from Munoz and Coffee, proved too much for Hampton's defense to handle. The Pirates' offense, meanwhile, was unable to find its rhythm, particularly behind point guard Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt (22 points, 5 assists), who struggled with accuracy on his own shooting attempts.

In the end, Grambling's superior depth and overall team performance proved decisive in their victory over Hampton. The win marks an important step forward for the Tigers as they navigate their non-conference schedule.