The Tuskegee University women's basketball team opened its exhibition season with a 78-73 win over NCAA Division I opponent, Georgia State out of the Sun Belt Conference Tuesday evening in Atlanta (Ga.). Tonight's win was the first over a D-1 opponent since Tiny Lassister's team topped Auburn University 78-54 in 1979.
India Blakely led the Golden Tigers with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, including four three pointers on the night.
Normesha Pitts added 12 points with two from beyond the arc along with six assists while newcomers
Tamia Willingham-King and
Breanna Stephens each chipped in 11 points apiece. Willingham-King also connected on three of her four three point attempts. As a team, TU shot 11-of-20 from long range, good enough for 55 percent and held GSU to only 18 percent.
Skegee, who once led by as many as 18 points and when on a 17-0 run, also out rebounded the Panthers 50-45, scored more points in the paint (30-26), had more bench points (25-19) and fast break points (21-11).
Shelle Daniels fell a point and a rebound shy of earning a double-double with nine points and nine boards. Meanwhile Teja Finely and
Eleana Daniels contributed six points and five points respectively. First year Golden Tiger
Rachel Obedin came off the bench to haul in nine rebounds of her own.
TU officially opens the season Nov. 8-9 in the Gulf South/SIAC Challenge against Auburn University (AUM) Friday and Montevallo on Saturday.
