Grambling State emerged from the two-day Chris Paul HBCU Classic undefeated with an 81-72 win over Hampton. Tigers’ forward Antonio Munoz delivered another superb performance, leading all scorers with 23 points, five assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Head coach Patrick Crarey started Jamil Muttilib in Friday’s matchup after the lanky guard sparked the Tigers off the bench on Thursday. Muttilib made his coach look like a genius by shooting a perfect 7-7 from the field (including 1-1 from 3 pt) and 4-4 from the free throw line.
Hampton did not get the hot shooting from guard Mike Eley that he delivered on Thursday. The senior started the game, finishing with three points in 13 minutes of action. Guard Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt provided the offensive punch for the Pirates with 22 points and 5 assists.
The Tigers’ five-point lead at the half grew to 16 on a layup by Mekhi Fitts. The 230-pound bruiser helped Grambling block eight shots and control the scoring in the paint by limiting the Pirates to 8 second-chance points.
Xzavier Long’s layup cut the Tigers’ lead to six with a little over a minute to play. Hampton was unable to cut any more of the lead as the Tigers knocked down all of their free throws.