Southern holds off Grambling State 66-61

BATON ROGUE, La. (AP) Adrian Rodgers had 19 points, Trelun Banks made a key 3-pointer late and Southern held off Grambling State's second-half charge on Saturday night to get its first conference win, 66-61.

Banks' 3-pointer pushed Southern ahead 54-49 with 2:15 left, and Jared Sam's layup stretched the lead to 58-51 at 1:05. Grambling State (5-10, 2-1 Southwest Athletic Conference) posed no threat from there.

Sam and Banks scored 12 points each and Christopher Hyder had 10 for the Jaguars (9-7, 1-2). They never trailed, led 33-21 at halftime and scored the first five of the second to lead 38-21.

Deonte Hearns had 15 of his 18 points in the second half, helping the Tigers overcome most of their 17-point deficit. Ervin Mitchell's basket with 6:33 left cut Southern's lead to 46-44 and capped Grambling's 25-8 rally. Mark Gray added 13 points.