Wilks jumper lifts Grambling Tigers past Southeastern Louisiana Lions

HAMMOND, Louisiana -- Drake Wilks jumper with five seconds remaining lifted the Grambling State men's basketball team to a thrilling come-from-behind 68-67 victory over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday afternoon at the University Center.

The Tigers (4-7) trailed 46-27 at the break and slowly rallied before cutting a double-digit deficit to single digits with less than 10 minutes remaining. Grambling State outscored Southeastern Louisiana, 16-8, over the final five minutes to pick up the win.

Anthony Gaston paced Grambling State with 18 points and three steals. Devante Jackson added 16 points, on 7-of-10 shooting, and 11 rebounds, while Ivy Smith registered 13 points, four assists and three rebounds.

Joshua Filmore led Southeastern Louisiana with 16 points and four boards. James Currington chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds, one block and one steal, while Jabbar Singleton added 11 points and two boards.

Turning Point
The Lions (6-5) raced out to a 25-8 advantage after a jumper by Eddy Polanco with 9:36 remaining in the opening half and stretch the advantage to 41-20 after a bucket by Polanco with 2:08 left in the first half.

The Tigers closed out the half with buckets by Jackson, Gaston and Shirmane Thomas to close the gap to 46-27 at the break.

Grambling State cut the double-digit deficit to 59-52 after a pair of Smith free throws with 5:57 left and pulled to within two at 65-63 after two Gaston free throws with 1:06 remaining.

A Gaston 3-pointer cut the margin to 67-66 with 44 seconds left and after a defensive stop, Wilks sank a jumper with five seconds remaining.

Inside The Numbers
* Grambling State shot 24-of-61 (39.3 percent) from the field and 13-of-14 (92.9 percent) from the foul line.
* Southeastern Louisiana was 23-of-46 (50 percent) shooting and 14-of-18 (50 percent) from the charity stripe.

Up Next
Grambling State returns to action on Thursday, Dec. 21 as the Tigers travel to Greenville, N.C. to take on East Carolina (ECU). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ET)/6 p.m. (CT).

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