BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas Southern's quest for a four-peat came up short as Grambling State handed them a 75-66 loss in the SWAC Tournament Championship on Saturday.
Similar to last month's game in Houston, it started out tight but Grambling State would break it open midway through the first half as they turned a 13-all tie into a 41-24 halftime lead after closing the half on a 28-11 surge. During the run, TSU was only 4-of-15 from the field along with four turnovers which helped fuel GSU's run.
Grambling State maintained a 17-point lead throughout the first part of the second half but TSU wouldn't back down with the season on the line as they outscored Grambling State 15-7 over the next five minutes to get within nine at 64-55. Grambling State would score the next four points to move back up by 13 and held a double-digit lead for the next three minutes.
With 1:22 left, Jaylen Wysinger's basket cut the lead to 71-62 and a GSU turnover drew TSU to within 71-64 following Jonathan Cisse's basket. TSU would get within seven once again but couldn't get over the hump as they fell in the title game for the first time since 2019.
Cisse led TSU with 21 points followed by 16 from Deon Stroud. Stroud also had five rebounds as Wysinger and PJ Henry grabbed four each.
