Miranda Leads Grambling Past Northern Illinois in Season Opener

Grambling State beat back a late Northern Illinois rally, earning an 89-87 season-opening victory at Rock Hill's Sports & Event Center. Throughout the game, Grambling led by as many as 12 points before the Huskies closed the gap in the final minutes.

Miranda scored 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting, including four three-pointers. He also had eight rebounds and three blocks in 22 minutes. Dwayne Pierce added 19 points and eight assists, while Isaiah Howard scored 13.

Grambling shot 64% from the field and outscored Northern Illinois 48-28 in the paint. The Huskies made 14 of 31 shots from three-point range, compared with five of 13 for the Tigers, and had five players score in double figures. Trevor Polite led Northern Illinois with 15 points.

Northern Illinois cut the margin to one several times late. After the Huskies pulled within 88-87 with six seconds remaining, Chancellor Perkins made one of two free throws for Grambling. Northern Illinois’ final three-point attempt missed at the buzzer, and Antoine Shannon secured the rebound.

The win gave Grambling coach Patrick Crarey II a victory in his second season leading the team. Grambling’s next game is against Texas, while Northern Illinois is scheduled to visit Tulsa.