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    Grambling's OT Win Over Montana State Excites March Madness Fans; Will Face Purdue

    Doric SamMarch 21, 2024

    DAYTON, OHIO - MARCH 20: Jourdan Smith #11 of the Grambling State Tigers reacts against the Montana State Bobcats during the first half in the First Four game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at University of Dayton Arena on March 20, 2024 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
    Michael Hickey/Getty Images

    Playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time, Grambling State completed an epic second-half comeback to earn an 88-81 overtime win over Montana State in Wednesday's First Four matchup.

    Grambling State trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half before storming back behind a spirited effort from sophomore guard Jimel Cofer, who scored a team-high 19 points off the bench. Jourdan Smith and Antwan Burnett added 18 points apiece for the Tigers.

    Grambling State will face Purdue, the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region, in the Round of 64 on Friday night. Taking on the Zach Edey-led Boilermakers will be no easy task, but the Tigers are hoping to ride the wave of Wednesday's surprising win to another upset.

    After all, it was just a year ago that Purdue became the second No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA tournament.

    Those on social media were excited by their first dose of March Madness thanks to Grambling State's comeback victory:

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    First-ever NCAA Tournament appearance ✅<br>First-ever NCAA Tournament win ✅<br><br>What a start to March for Grambling State 👏 <a href="https://t.co/mCuVpiLRWH">pic.twitter.com/mCuVpiLRWH</a>

    Grambling's OT Win Over Montana State Excites March Madness Fans; Will Face Purdue
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    Grambling State Men's Basketball @gsutigers_mbb

    IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING???

    philip lewis @Phil_Lewis_

    Grambling State 👀👀👀

    Myron Medcalf @MedcalfByESPN

    Are y'all watching!?? Grambling and Montana State are battling.

    Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

    CLUTCH PUTBACK DUNK FOR GRAMBLING STATE 😤🔨 <a href="https://t.co/W0KvEQA5io">pic.twitter.com/W0KvEQA5io</a>

    Jack Culotta, Jr. @TalkCulotta

    Soooo Grambling St to win Round 1 over Purdue??? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a>

    Rodger Sherman @rodger

    GRAMBLING 1-0 ALL TIME IN THE TOURNEY WE LOVE TO SEE IT <a href="https://twitter.com/NMTC_Hoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NMTC_Hoops</a>

    Hailey Sutton @_HaileySutton

    In their first ever NCAA tournament game, Grambling State advanced to take on Purdue in Indianapolis! Incredible game, and the run not done! <br><br>Erased a 14-point deficit against Montana State and overcame an 2-10 start to the season! KEEP ON DANCING 🕺🏽

    Adam Rittenberg @ESPNRittenberg

    Grambling is the first program to win its NCAA tournament debut since Northwestern in 2017.

    Games like this are shining examples of the spirit of March Madness. Grambling State refused to go down quietly and overcame an early barrage from a hot-shooting Montana State squad.

    This game was also indicative of the fight in the Tigers, who overcame a 2-10 start to the season to win the SWAC regular-season title with a 20-14 record and emerge victorious in the conference tournament.

    Fans will be hyped to see if Grambling State's Cinderella run will continue when it meets Purdue on Friday.

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