Jackson, Johnson spark Grambling past Niagara, 74-68

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — Devante Jackson and Lasani Johnson combined to score 31 points and Grambling knocked off Niagara, 74-68 in a Fort Myers Tip-off game Friday.

The Tigers, now winners of two straight, take on the winner of a game between St. Francis-Brooklyn and IUPUI Saturday at Niagara.

Johnson's jumper with 1:11 left in the first half gave Grambling a 44-32 advantage, but the Purple Eagles surged back and Marvin Prochet's 3 with :28 remaining cut the deficit to 44-37.

Niagara twice got within five, 71-66 in the final minute, but could get no closer.

Jackson finished with 16 points for Grambling (3-2), with Johnson adding 15 points and Ivy Smith Jr. 12. The Tigers shot 27 of 55 from the field (49.1 percent), including 6 of 14 from distance.

Prochet finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead Niagara (2-2), which shot 22 of 66 from the field (33.3 percent) and was just 3 of 22 from distance. Dominic Robb added 15 points.