NEW YORK (Interstat) — Tre Bradford rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns, and the Grambling Tigers defense intercepted three passes to hold off a late rally by the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions for a 20-16 victory on Saturday at Skidelsky Field at City Park Stadium.

The Tigers, who led for the entire second half, improved to 3-3 on the season, while the Golden Lions fell to 2-3.

Grambling quarterback C’zavian Teasett completed 18 of 29 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, with his primary connection being Jordan Bride, who caught five passes for 42 yards and a score. But it was the ground game, led by Bradford’s workhorse performance, that powered the Tigers’ offense.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s offense was spearheaded by the dual-threat play of quarterback Christian Peters. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native passed for 204 yards and a touchdown and was the game’s leading rusher with 84 yards on 14 carries. His top target was Jordan Jackson, who hauled in three catches for 99 yards.

The Golden Lions struck first, capping an opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Peters to Ellis Stewart. The score remained 7-0 through the end of the first quarter.

Grambling answered in the second quarter, tying the game on a 12-yard touchdown run by Bradford. The Tigers took the lead for good late in the third quarter when Teasett found Bride on a 6-yard scoring pass to make it 14-7.

The fourth quarter became a battle of field position and field goals. Arkansas-Pine Bluff kicker Trey Glymph connected on three field goals in the final period—from 26, 27, and 20 yards—to cut the deficit to 14-16.

Grambling responded with a crucial drive, marching 58 yards to reclaim a two-score advantage. Bradford, who carried the ball 25 times, plunged in from 3 yards out with 1:42 remaining to put the Tigers up 20-16. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

Peters then led the Golden Lions on a desperate final drive, moving the ball from their own 25 to the Grambling 30 in the final minute. The comeback bid ended, however, when Peters’ fourth-down pass fell incomplete with nine seconds left, sealed by tight coverage from the Grambling secondary.

The Tigers’ defense was the difference, as Markel Linzer grabbed two interceptions and Blake Davis added another to stifle multiple Arkansas-Pine Bluff possessions.

The win gives Grambling momentum heading into a home contest against Jackson State next Saturday. Arkansas-Pine Bluff will look to rebound on the road at Bethune-Cookman.