Grambling Basketball Falls to Texas Southern 82-79 as SWAC Race Tightens

Texas Southern earned a critical SWAC victory Saturday night, defeating Grambling 82-79 in a high efficiency contest that could carry major conference tournament implications.

Texas Southern shot 56 percent from the field and 48 percent from three point range, overcoming a strong offensive effort from Grambling to secure the road win. The Tigers also recorded 19 assists, reflecting balanced ball movement against one of the league’s top defensive units.

Zaire Hayes led Texas Southern with 17 points, connecting on 4 three pointers, while Troy Hupstead added 17 points and 5 assists. Jordan Gorecki delivered an efficient 15 points on 5 of 5 shooting, and Bryce Roberts contributed 16 points with four three pointers of his own.

Jaylen Wysinger finished with 11 points and 6 assists, helping control tempo in key stretches.

Grambling shot 50 percent from the field and received a game high 26 points from Jamil Muttilib, who added 7 free throws and 3 made three pointers. Roderick Coffee III scored 17 points and dished out 5 assists, while Rickey Ballard added 11 points. Jimel Lane anchored the interior with 11 points and 11 rebounds, giving Grambling second chance opportunities throughout the night.

The breaking update came late in the second half as Texas Southern maintained composure during a Grambling push. Despite 9 made three pointers from Grambling, Texas Southern’s efficiency and free throw production proved decisive. The Tigers converted 18 free throws and held a narrow rebounding margin at 30-27.

From a timeline perspective, this result impacts the middle tier of the SWAC standings. Texas Southern’s offensive execution mirrors historical conference contenders that rely on guard play and perimeter shooting to navigate late season pressure. Grambling, while efficient offensively, struggled with 13 turnovers and defensive rotations during key possessions.

What this means moving forward is significant for both programs. Texas Southern strengthens its postseason outlook and gains momentum entering the final stretch of conference play. Grambling must tighten defensive consistency and late game execution to remain in contention for favorable tournament seeding.

Next steps include both teams returning to SWAC competition this week as positioning becomes increasingly critical. With several teams separated by narrow margins in the standings, Saturday’s result could prove pivotal in shaping the conference tournament bracket.