TUSKEGEE, Ala. – Tuskegee (7-1, 4-0 SIAC) took down Columbus State, 74-57, with a strong second half in non-conference action on Friday evening inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Arena to increase their win streak to five games.
 
Columbus State started the game with a 4-0 run in the first minute of play, however the lead was short-lived as Tuskegee regained a 5-4 lead minutes later with a layup from JuToreyia Willis (Chattanooga, Tenn.).
 
The score was back-and-forth over the next few possessions, with Nadia Thorman-Mckey (Evanston, Ill.) putting the Golden Tigers up four with 3:45 to go in the quarter starting to give Tuskegee some separation, however a run from Columbus State saw the game tied at 15-15 entering the second.
 
The second period was much of the same as the Cougars gained a four-point edge early before a response from Tuskegee that saw another tie at 21-21 with seven minutes remaining in the half.
 
Brittney Bolin (Trophy Club, Texas) broke the tie with a three pointer on the next possession, sparking a run that saw the Golden Tigers eventually gain a 36-26 lead with nearly two minutes to play before the break. Tuskegee closed out the half leading by the same margin, up 38-28.
 
Tuskegee held on to a nearly double-digit lead for a majority of the third quarter until two minutes left when Willis sank a pair of free throws followed by a score in the paint from Ashiala Jackson (Merrillville, Ind.) to go up 14 and the Golden Tigers closed out the quarter leading 54-41.
 
Tuskegee continued to stretch their lead in the final quarter, going up 61-41 with 6:46 to play. Columbus State responded with a run to close the gap to 14 at 63-49 with just over four minutes to play, however the Golden Tigers remained strong, taking the 74-57 win.
 
Willis led the way with a game-high 20 points for Tuskegee along with five rebounds and two assists, followed by Arielle McElroy (Bolingbrook, Ill.) and Jackson who were the only other double figure scorers for the team on the day with 15 and 13 points respectively. McElroy also recorded five rebounds, a pair of assists and a block to her totals, while Jackson finished with yet another double-double with 18 rebounds along with her 13 points.
 
The Golden Tigers did not trail at any point after tying the game with seven minutes to play in the second quarter. They outscored the Cougars in points off turnovers 13-11 and second chance points 17-8, while Columbus State led in points in the paint 40-30. The teams tied in points off the bench at 15-15.
 
Up Next
The Golden Tigers will travel to Tallahassee for their next opponent as they face Florida A&M on Monday, December 12 at 6 p.m. ET inside the Al Lawson Center.
 
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