TUSKEGEE, Ala. – The Golden Tigers (5-2, 0-1 SIAC) dropped a hard-fought game to Fort Valley State on Saturday afternoon, 70-68, in their Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener.
 
The Wildcats opened the game with a 4-0 run and jumped out to a 10-6 lead with the two Tuskegee threes from Gregg Boyd (Seat Pleasant, Md.).
 
The Golden Tigers trailed by double digits for the first time with 13 minutes to play in the half but responded with a basket on the next possession. A three from Fort Valley State on a fast break gave the Wildcats a double figure lead again at 20-8 just over a minute later, and they continued to control the momentum, leading by nine at the half.
 
After trailing 43-34 at the break, Boyd added another three-pointer to start the second half that sparked a run for Tuskegee to get within two at 44-42 after a fast break score from Reco Hallmon (Atlanta, Ga.) at the 11:41 mark.
 
Trailing by five minutes later, Boyd hit his fourth three pointer, pulling the Golden Tigers within a score at 50-48. Tuskegee stayed within striking distance, reducing an eight-point lead once again to just three, 63-60, after a long-range jumper from Steve Dulley (Kansas City, Mo.) with just two minutes to play.
 
The Wildcats split a pair of free throws on their next possession, before forcing a turnover and scoring again, gaining a 66-60. Meanwhile, Boyd sank three free throws to put the score at 68-65 with 30 seconds to go, however Fort Valley State took the win despite a late final three from D'Anthony Pennington (Kansas City, Mo.).
 
Boyd led the way offensively with 17 points, including going 4-for-8 from long range to go with three assists and a steal. Pennington added 11 points and seven assists, followed by Hallmon and Dulley who finished with 11 points and eight rebounds and ten points and three rebounds respectively.
 
Fort Valley State led in bench points 27-19, fast break points 14-7, points in the paint 22-20, Meanwhile, Tuskegee outscored the Wildcats in points off turnovers (16-10) and second chance points (8-6) and finished with shooting splits of 42 (21-for-50) percent from the field, 40.9 (9-for-22) percent from the free throw line, and 60.7 (17-for-28) percent from deep.
 
Up Next
Tuskegee will host Albany State on Monday evening for the second consecutive SIAC doubleheader inside of Daniel "Chappie" James Arena, with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m.
 
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