Coffee puts up 24, Grambling defeats Alabama State 57-47

Roderick Coffee III scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Grambling State Tigers to a 57-47 victory over the Alabama State Hornets on Saturday during a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup in Grambling, Louisiana. The Tigers secured the home win by leveraging a dominant second-half performance, aimed at improving their standing within the conference rankings as the regular season progresses. The victory underscores Grambling State's defensive resilience, as they managed to hold their opponents to under 50 points in a physical contest. Coffee III was the standout performer of the evening, providing the offensive spark necessary to break open what was a tightly contested game in the early stages. While both teams struggled with shooting efficiency throughout the night, Coffee's ability to create his own shot and convert from the free-throw line proved to be the difference-maker. The Tigers' defense complemented this scoring output by forcing key turnovers and limiting Alabama State's second-chance opportunities, effectively neutralizing the Hornets' interior scoring threats. The Alabama State Hornets struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm, falling victim to a scoring drought that spanned several minutes in the final period. Despite several attempts to mount a late-game comeback, the Hornets were unable to overcome Grambling's stifling perimeter defense. This loss marks a setback for Alabama State as they look to maintain momentum in the highly competitive SWAC, while for Grambling, the win serves as a testament to their disciplined approach and the individual brilliance of their lead guard.