SOUTHERN, GRAMBLING SET FOR SWAC SHOWDOWN

GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — Intrastate and conference rivals Southern and Grambling will meet Saturday at Fredrick Hobdy Assembly Center in a SWAC men’s basketball matchup.

The Grambling Tigers (8-9) host the Southern Jaguars (6-11) with both teams looking to build momentum in league play. Tipoff is set for Jan. 17, 2026.

Southern arrives after snapping a two-game skid with a 77-73 road win at Bethune-Cookman on Monday. Guard Malek Abdelgowad led the way with 21 points. Abdelgowad has been a key offensive catalyst, scoring 20 or more points in three of his last six games, including a 20-point performance in a conference win over Texas Southern on Jan. 3.

Grambling seeks to rebound from a 91-84 road loss at Florida A&M on Monday, despite a 21-point, five-assist effort from guard Derrius Ward. Ward has provided consistent scoring for the Tigers, reaching double figures in five of his last six contests, including a 20-point outing in a Jan. 5 win over Texas Southern.

The Tigers have fared better at home this season, most recently defeating Prairie View 76-72 on Jan. 3. Southern’s road victory Monday marked just its second win away from home this season.

Historically, games in this rivalry are tightly contested. The teams will meet again in Baton Rouge on Feb. 21.

Southern’s success likely hinges on Abdelgowad’s scoring punch and support from Michael Jacobs, who added 20 points in the last outing. Grambling will counter with Ward’s backcourt leadership and the interior presence of Jamil Muttilib, who scored 22 points in the loss to Florida A&M.

Both teams enter the contest with identical 2-2 records in SWAC play, making this a pivotal early conference clash for positioning in the league standings.