GRAMBLING, La. (AP) – Octavious Brown scored 15 points and made four free throws down the stretch as Alcorn State shot 57 percent from the field after halftime and held off Grambling State 66-63 on Monday night.

Tamarico Wilson led Alcorn State (11-12, 8-3 Southwest Athletic Conference) with 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting. Brown opened the game with a jumper and a 3-pointer, then Wilson stepped up with two baskets and a 3 and the Braves took an early 12-4 lead and never trailed.

Ervin Mitchell scored 22 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead Grambling (6-17, 3-8). Deonte Hearns added 11 points.

Mitchell nailed a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left as Grambling pulled within 64-61, but Brown sank two foul shots that pushed the lead to five, 66-61, with five seconds to go and the Braves survived a buzzer-beating layup by Nigel Ribeiro.

Alcorn State has won two straight, and is 7-1 since Jan. 11.