Travele Jones’ blocked shot as time expired preserved Texas Southern’s 60-57 victory over Grambling State in the men’s semifinal of the Farmers Insurance SWAC Basketball Tournament.
Texas Southern (17-15) advances to the tournament final vs. #2 University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Grambling State, the #8 seed which upset top-seeded Jackson State Wednesday night, ends its season at 7-21.
Jones blocked Grambling’s Kevin Loyd’s three-point attempt on the right wing just after TSU’s Deandre Hall missed the front end of a one-and-one with eight seconds to play.
Texas Southern never trailed in the game and led by as many as 13 late in the first half before taking a 34-24 halftime lead. TSU extended its lead again to 13 at 39-26 with 17:48 remaining in the game.
However, Grambling State would not give in, cutting its deficit to two points twice and three points three times but never tied the game or took the lead.
Junior Treasure led Texas Southern with 21 points and Hall added 20 for the Tigers, who advance to the tournament final for the first time since 2003.
Donald Qualls led Grambling State with 14 points, while George Akpele added 10.
