Thomas, Smith help Grambling State beat Alcorn State 81-72

Updated: Feb 6, 2018, 05:22 am

GRAMBLING, La. -- Shirmane Thomas hit three 3-pointers and finished with 21 points and Ivy Smith Jr. had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists to help Grambling State beat Alcorn State 81-72 on Monday night.

DeVante Jackson added 16 points and seven rebounds for Grambling (12-12, 8-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference), which has won eight in a row.

Alcorn State's Devon Brewer made a jumper to make it 71-all with nearly four minutes to play, but the Braves went 0 for 5 from the field from there. Smith made two jumpers and Thomas hit a 3 to give Grambling a 78-71 lead and, after A.J. Mosby made 1 of 2 free throws, Smith fed Jackson for a dunk to push the lead to eight points.

Mosby had 28 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals with one turnover in 39 minutes for the Braves (7-17, 3-8), who have lost three straight. Dante Sterling added 17 points, including four 3-pointers, and Brewer had 10 points and three blocks.

The Tigers outrebounded Alcorn State 45-29 and scored 15 points off 10 Braves turnovers.