WILBERFORCE, Ohio | The Tuskegee University women's basketball team battled back from a double-digit deficit in the second half against Central State University, only to fall at the buzzer 62-60 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) action Monday night.
 
Tuskegee (5-11, 1-6 SIAC) trailed by as many as 10 in the second half before Asha Stegall pulled the Tigerettes even at 60-all with just 18.1 seconds remaining. However, the Lady Marauders dribbled out the clock and as time was winding down, Rahni Bell drove the baseline and threw up a floater that bounced around the rim before falling in as the clock expired for the win.
 
The contest went back and forth early on as the lead changed hands six times, and was even tied five times during the 40 minutes of action. The Tigerettes outscored Central State in the paint 34-18, but it was the bench play of Central State that proved to be the deciding factor as they outscored Tuskegee 32-19.
 
Taylor Miller led Tuskegee with 13 points and four rebounds, as she was the only player in double figures on the night for the Tigerettes. Lena Yoonis finished with nine points and five rebounds, while Cheyanne Williams added eight points. Rachel Brownlee finished the night with eight points, eight rebounds and five steals.
 
The Tigerettes finished the night shooting 42.1 (24-of-57) percent from the floor, while struggling from beyond the arc as they shot just 6.3 (1-of-16) percent for the game. They also finished the night shooting 47.8 (11-of-23) from the free-throw line, while winning the rebounding battle 46-44.
 
Meanwhile, Bell led Central State (11-5, 6-2 SIAC) to their eighth consecutive victory with 18 points on five three-pointers. Falon Edwards added 12 off the bench for Central State, who finished the night shooting 29.6 (21-of-71) percent from the floor and 34.6 (9-of-26) from beyond the arc. They also finished the night shooting 47.8 (11-of-23) percent from the free-throw line.
 
Tuskegee returns to action next week in Tennessee as they will face Lane College and LeMoyne-Owen College.
 
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