Wildcats Edge Tigers in Close Contest
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 6:30 PM ET · Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 76, Grambling Tigers 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Grambling Tigers?
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats beat Grambling Tigers 76-71 at Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center on February 26, 2026.
Who was favored in Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Grambling Tigers?
Grambling Tigers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats triumphed over the Grambling Tigers with a final score of 76-71. This victory marked an important win for the Wildcats, who have now improved their record to 17-13, while the Tigers fell to 12-17. The game took place at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center and showcased the competitive spirit of both teams.
The Wildcats entered the game with a solid recent form, boasting a record of 8-2 in their last ten outings and a current winning streak of two games. They averaged 78.5 points scored while allowing 67.7 points per game during this stretch. Their last two games included victories over Alabama A&M and Alabama State, where they scored 85 and 82 points respectively. This offensive prowess has been a hallmark of their play, particularly in away games where they have a record of 2-2 in their last four.
Conversely, the Grambling Tigers have struggled recently, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games and a current streak of one win. They averaged 67.3 points scored and allowed 66.6 points during this period. Their last game was a convincing win against Mississippi Valley State, where they scored 83 points, but prior to that, they had faced a series of challenging losses. At home, the Tigers recorded a 2-3 record in their last five games, indicating they have been less dominant on their own court.
Historically, the matchup has favored the Wildcats, who have now won all three meetings against the Tigers this season and last, with the most recent encounter on January 10 ending in a 74-65 victory for Bethune-Cookman. This trend continued in the latest game, where the Wildcats maintained their advantage.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams have been managing their rosters throughout the season. The absence of key players can often impact performance, but the focus remained on the players who took the court.
As for the betting market, DraftKings set the odds with Grambling as a slight favorite at -1.5, while the total points were set at 144.5. The moneyline reflected a close contest, with Grambling at -115 and Bethune-Cookman at -105, indicating a competitive matchup that drew interest from bettors.
The game was played under typical conditions for this time of year, with fans filling the stands to support their teams. The atmosphere was electric, as both sides fought for every point. Viewers were treated to a display of skill, with notable scoring plays including a series of layups by both teams in the second half that kept the game within reach for the Tigers until the final moments.
Ultimately, the Wildcats' ability to execute in crunch time proved decisive, as they managed to fend off a late charge from the Tigers. With this win, Bethune-Cookman not only solidified their standing but also showcased their resilience and determination as they head into the closing stretch of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | GRAM -1.5 | 144.5 o -115 / u -105 | Bethune-Cookman Wildcats -105 · Grambling Tigers -115 |
Leaders
- PointsDerrius Ward24Grambling Tigers
- AssistsRoderick Coffee III6Grambling Tigers
- ReboundsDevyn Franklin11Grambling Tigers
- PointsJakobi Heady20Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
- AssistsAriel Bland7Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
- ReboundsAriel Bland9Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Recent form
Grambling Tigers
Last 10: 4-6Streak W167.3 scored · 66.6 allowed per game2-3 at home
- W83-62vs Mississippi Valley State Delta DevilsFeb 24
- L73-87at Southern JaguarsFeb 21
- L63-68at Prairie View A&M PanthersFeb 17
- L79-82at Texas Southern TigersFeb 14
- L58-66vs Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 10
- W57-47vs Alabama State HornetsFeb 7
- L64-67vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsFeb 5
- W74-50at Alcorn State BravesFeb 3
- W69-66at Jackson State TigersJan 31
- L53-71vs Southern JaguarsJan 17
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Last 10: 8-2Streak W278.5 scored · 67.7 allowed per game2-2 away
- W85-76vs Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 21
- W82-71vs Alabama State HornetsFeb 20
- L86-91at Jackson State TigersFeb 17
- L55-57at Alcorn State BravesFeb 14
- W79-69vs Texas Southern TigersFeb 10
- W82-76vs Prairie View A&M PanthersFeb 7
- W80-62at Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 3
- W69-54at Alabama State HornetsJan 31
- W82-73vs Alcorn State BravesJan 27
- W85-48vs Jackson State TigersJan 24
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman | 17-15 | - | 14-4 |
| Southern | 17-17 | 3 | 11-7 |
| Florida A&M | 15-16 | 3 | 11-7 |
| Alabama A&M | 18-15 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 13-19 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Texas Southern | 12-18 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Jackson State | 12-21 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Prairie View A&M | 19-18 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Grambling | 14-19 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Alabama State | 10-22 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Alcorn State | 9-23 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 3-30 | 12 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Bethune-Cookman Wildcats | Grambling Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-62 | 28-69 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 3-12 | 8-25 |
| Three-point % | 25 | 32 |
| Free throws | 11-17 | 7-13 |
| Free throw % | 65 | 54 |
| Rebounds | 41 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 14 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 19 |
| Assists | 14 | 15 |
| Steals | 11 | 12 |
| Blocks | 4 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 16 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 2 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 22 | 19 |
| Fast-break points | 17 | 18 |
| Points in the paint | 56 | 36 |
| Fouls | 12 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 14 |
| Lead changes | 14 | 14 |
| Time in front | 38 | 53 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half37-36Jakobi Heady makes layup
- 2nd Half37-37Jamil Muttilib makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half37-38Jamil Muttilib makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half37-40Roderick Coffee III makes 10-foot jumper
- 2nd Half39-40Quentin Heady makes driving layup
- 2nd Half40-40Quentin Heady makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half42-40Quentin Heady makes layup
- 2nd Half42-42Derrius Ward makes layup
- 2nd Half44-42Daniel Rouzan makes layup
- 2nd Half44-45Jamil Muttilib makes 25-foot three point jumper (Roderick Coffee III assists)
- 2nd Half47-45Seneca Willoughby makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jakobi Heady assists)
- 2nd Half49-45Jakobi Heady makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half49-47Rickey Ballard makes layup (Roderick Coffee III assists)
- 2nd Half51-47Jakobi Heady makes layup
- 2nd Half52-47Jakobi Heady makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-49Derrius Ward makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-52Derrius Ward makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half54-52Arterio Morris makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-54Jimel Lane makes 2-foot dunk (Derrius Ward assists)
- 2nd Half55-54Jakobi Heady makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-54Jakobi Heady makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-57Derrius Ward makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half58-57Daniel Rouzan makes 3-foot dunk (Ariel Bland assists)
- 2nd Half58-59Jimel Lane makes layup (Roderick Coffee III assists)
- 2nd Half60-59Arterio Morris makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half60-62Jimel Lane makes 24-foot three point jumper (Roderick Coffee III assists)
- 2nd Half62-62Ariel Bland makes layup
- 2nd Half64-62Daniel Rouzan makes layup (Ariel Bland assists)
- 2nd Half66-62Ariel Bland makes layup
- 2nd Half68-62Daniel Rouzan makes layup (Ariel Bland assists)
- 2nd Half69-62Arterio Morris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-62Tyler Andrews makes 3-foot dunk (Ariel Bland assists)
- 2nd Half71-64Devyn Franklin makes layup (Derrius Ward assists)
- 2nd Half73-64Arterio Morris makes layup
- 2nd Half73-66Jimel Lane makes layup (Derrius Ward assists)
- 2nd Half73-67Rickey Ballard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-69Derrius Ward makes layup
- 2nd Half74-69Seneca Willoughby makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-71Roderick Coffee III makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half76-71Quentin Heady makes layup (Daniel Rouzan assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Grambling Tigers, below favours Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.
Venue
- Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly CenterGrambling, LA
- Attendance1015
- OfficialsRoss Cullins, Kevin Boone, Nick Baldwin
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond