TUSKEGEE, Ala. | Halle Bentley recorded her first double-double for Tuskegee University, but it wasn't enough as Central State University was able to pull away in the second half for a 76-68 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) contest at Chappie James Arena Saturday afternoon.
 
Rachel Brownlee finished with a game-high 23 points, connecting on 12-of-14 shots from the free throw line. She also grabbed six rebounds and dished out a pair of assists in the loss. Meanwhile, Aryana Jackson – in just her second game – scored a career-high 19 points off the bench.
 
Bentley chipped in with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor and 4-of-6 shooting from the free throw line, while also grabbing a game-high 12 rebounds. Tyler Everett finished with eight rebounds off the bench.
 
Tuskegee (1-12, 0-5 SIAC) finished the night shooting 30.0 (18-of-60) percent from the floor and 69 (29-of-42) percent from the free throw line, while forcing 30 Central State turnovers.
 
Sierra Harley led five Central State (6-8, 3-5 SIAC) in double figures with 15 points, while Ghameerah McCullers came off the bench to add 13 in the third consecutive victory by the Lady Marauders.
 
Jordyn Bond finished with 12, Kourtni Perry with 11 and Meshia Smith 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
 
Central State took an early lead in the first quarter but Tuskegee was able to fight back and take the lead in the second quarter. The Tigerettes trailed the entire game until Brownlee hit a free throw with seven minutes left in the half to tie the score at 22-all.  They took their first lead when Jackson drained a 12-footer for a 24-22 lead with 6:42 to play in the half.
 
The two teams traded the lead until a pair of free throws with 4:43 to play in the half gave the Tigerettes a 27-25 lead. They pushed the lead to four at 31-27 with 1:26 to play on a pair of free throws from Jesslyn Mahone, and they would hang on to the halftime lead.
 
After leading at halftime, Tuskegee fell behind in the third quarter after Central State came out pressing for the entire quarter. Trailing by 18 points heading into the fourth quarter, the Tigerettes chipped away pulling within eight at 70-62 with 2:47 remaining in the game following a pair of free throws by Jackson. That is as close as Tuskegee could get as Central State ran the clock out.
 
The Tigerettes return to action Monday night against Kentucky State in their second of four consecutive games at Chappie James. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm Monday night.
 
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