Shelle Daniels scored a team-high 17 points while India Blakely put up 10 points and 13 rebounds, but it would not be enough to get past Auburn University-Montgomery (AUM) Friday night in the Gulf South/SIAC Challenge as TU dropped its season opener 68-57 at Montevallo.

In a game that witnessed 11 lead changes, Skegee outscored the Warhawks in points off turnovers 23-12, however the two teams played to a mostly even stat line in the other play analysis categories. 

TU held its biggest lead in the second period at the 6:55 mark when they were ahead by seven points.

Normesha Pitts scored 11 points including three from beyond the arc. She would end up being only one of three players to make a three pointer on the night. The Golden Tigers had three players to score in double figures. Eleana Daniels rounded out the top scorers with eight points.

The Golden Tigers only trailed by two, 47-45 at the end of the third period before AUM pulled away and outscored TU 21-12 in the final period to secure its first ever NCAA win since becoming a member this past summer.

TU will close out the annual challenge against host Montevallo Saturday at 2 p.m.