DAYTON, OH — How about the Grambling State Tigers men’s basketball team beating the Montana State Bobcats in overtime in the NCAA Tournament First Four? If you haven’t been watching Grambling State Basketball, you’ve been missing out on a treat.
This team has been primed and prepped for this moment throughout their 2023-24 basketball season. The Grambling State Tigers men’s Basketball Team was in a situation like this game down by 17 points during the season and was to storm back and win the game. Grambling State has shown they are battle-tested going into a double overtime game with the opportunity to win but fail short of losing the game.
Grambling State was ready to take advantage of an opportunity that hasn’t been taken in the history of the Grambling State Men’s Basketball program with a win to move on to play in their first NCAA Tournament game.
Grambling State was down by as many as 14 points in the second half behind Montana shooting the NCAA letters off the basketball behind the three-point line throughout the game that helped them get the early lead.
Montana State was looking to put this game out of reach against Grambling State in the second half because of the long stretches Grambling was going through not scoring any points, jacking up three-point shots that were not falling.
Each year March Madness gives the fans something they will forever talk about, be it unsung heroes, a lucky shot falls, or some type of magic that happens for a team that allows them to forge forward and continue to move forward in the tournament.
In tonight’s game, the Grambling State Tigers will forever be able to speak to the fact that Jimel Cofer led the Tigers off the bench with 19 points. Cofer gave the Tigers a spark and Grambling State got back to doing what they had been able to all season and that punishes teams in the paint.
Jourdan Smith had 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals, Antwan Burnett had 18 points, 5 rebounds. Coach Jackson made the necessary adjustments that positioned Grambling State to win the game and move on to the NCAA Tournament. Grambling State was able to make history tonight with an 88-81 win over Montana State Bobcats.