Grambling defeats Norfolk St 80-68
Grambling Edges Norfolk State in Homecoming Thriller
The Gateway Center was abuzz with energy on Saturday evening as Grambling University hosted Norfolk State in a highly anticipated non-conference matchup. The home team's defense proved to be the difference maker, as they held off a late rally from the visiting Spartans to secure an 80-68 victory.
At halftime, Grambling led by a margin of 17 points, 38-21, but Norfolk State refused to back down. The Spartans made significant adjustments in the second half, trimming the deficit to just 12 points with under five minutes remaining. However, Grambling's defense stiffened, and they capitalized on Norfolk State's sloppy free throw shooting to seal the win.
Antonio Munoz led the way for Grambling, scoring 22 points on an impressive 71.4% shooting clip. He also contributed five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, making him a one-man wrecking crew for the Tigers. Roderick Coffee III added five assists, 10 points, and two rebounds to round out the double-double.
For Norfolk State, Elijah Jamison was the primary scoring threat, pouring in 26 points on 47.6% shooting from the field. Devon Ellis chipped in with seven rebounds and 12 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome his team's inability to contain Grambling's potent offense.
Grambling's strong defensive performance was marked by a stingy effort on three-point shooting, as Norfolk State went just 3-15 from beyond the arc (20.0%). The Tigers also outrebounded their opponents 33-44 and committed just nine turnovers, compared to Norfolk State's 13.
In terms of advanced statistics, Grambling's true shooting percentage was a respectable 60.9%, while Norfolk State's was a more modest 44.2%. The Tigers also boasted an impressive effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 56.3%, which helped them maintain their lead throughout the game.
With the win, Grambling improves to [insert record], while Norfolk State falls to [insert record]. The loss marks a tough stretch for the Spartans, who now face [insert upcoming opponent] at home next week.