TUSKEGEE, Ala. | The Tuskegee University women's basketball team had their two-game winning streak snapped Thursday night as they fell 53-46 to Fort Valley State in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at Chappie James Arena.
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Rachel Brownlee scored in double figures the 19th consecutive time, and for the 21st time in 22 games as she went for 21 points. She finished the night 7-of-17 from the floor and 2-for-2 from beyond the arc. She was the lone player in double figures for Tuskegee (5-17, 4-10 SIAC), who played without second-leading scorer
Aryana Jackson who missed the game due to illness.
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Tuskegee finished the night shooting 32.6 (15-of-46) percent shooting from the floor and 25 (4-of-16) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 60 (12-of-20) percent from the free throw line, while forcing 14 turnovers.
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Brittnee Hazel led Fort Valley State (9-14, 8-6 SIAC) with 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, while Daknequa White added 12 points in the win.
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The Lady Wildcats finished the night shooting 32.7 (18-of-55) from the floor and 21.7 (5-of-23) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 66.7 (21-of-18) percent from the free throw line, while winning the rebounding battle 40-36.
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Tuskegee held the lead for the entire first half, and extended the first quarter lead to 17-9 with just two seconds remaining as Brownlee drained a short jumper. The Tigerettes continued on an 8-2 run when
Cheyanne Williams drained a layup with 8:30 to play in the half, followed by another Brownlee lay-up with 7:43 to play in the half – extending the lead to 21-9.
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The lead stayed in double digits until halftime as the Tigerettes were able to drain key free throws down the stretch.
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However, Fort Valley State came out in the second half and went on a 16-4 run over the first five minutes of the third quarter to take the first lead of the game at 34-33 on a White three-pointer. After Tuskegee was able to put an end to the run and take a 35-34 lead, Fort Valley State scored five points in the final seconds to take a 39-37 lead.
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Tuskegee was able to tie the score at 42-all in the fourth quarter on a
Jesslyn Mahone three-pointer from the corner, before Fort Valley State went on a 9-2 run to extend the lead to seven and the final score.
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The Tigerettes return to action Saturday afternoon against Albany State at Chappie James Arena. The game is scheduled to tip at 1 pm.
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