If the Hokies were looking for a last relatively easy game against a non-conference opponent, they certainly didn’t get that gift in the first half. Grambling State came to Blacksburg with a serious intent to play hard and upset the Hokies in their own house.
The first 2/3rds of the first half, it looked very much like the Tigers were going to hand the Hokies a serious scare in that general direction. Grambling led by 8, 21 to 13, at the halfway point of the first period, and had led since the 17:29 mark. The Hokies weren’t managing to sink much.