TUSKEGEE, Ala. ^__ Coming into the new year, Tuskegee University men's basketball team returns to the Chappie James Center this week to start a four-game home conference stretch, beginning with Allen on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., before taking on Benedict on Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m.

Both games can be seen on the Golden Tiger Sports Network, with Charles Ward on the call.

Tuskegee and Allen are meeting for the fourth time since 2021, with Tuskegee taking all three games, including the last two in Columbia.

The Golden Tigers are 2-3 in the Taylor era, dating back to the 201-20 season with the last victory coming on the road Jan. 4, 2023 (73-69). Benedict took the last meeting between the programs in Tuskegee on Feb. 18, 2021 (62-73).

In their last game of 2023, the Golden Tigers fell on the road to Georgia Southwestern, 77-75, despite 24 points and 14 rebounds from forward Martez Jones, his fourth double-double of the year.

Kusamae Draper was the other double figure scorer for Tuskegee with 12 points and six boards in the contest, as the team shot 53.1 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from long range in the loss.

Allen comes into the matchup at 7-4, and currently 3-1 in SIAC play on the year. When last on the court, the Yellow Jackets defeated Fort Lauderdale in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Dec. 16, 2023 (78-75). AU is led by three double figure scorers in Austin James (11.6 ppg), Marc Raye Jr. (11.0 ppg), and G'Shan Aldridge (10.0 ppg).

Benedict (10-0) is currently ranked tenth nationally in the D2CSC Men's Basketball Division II Poll and is led by a trio of double figure scorers in Asanti Price (16.4 ppg), Tim Moore (14.0 ppg), and Marshaun West (10.2 ppg). The Tigers average 87.3 points per contest and have a 14.8 scoring margin on the year, along with having seven scorers average at least eight points per game.

How to Follow the Golden Tigers: For complete information on Tuskegee Golden Tigers Men's Basketball, visit GoldenTigerSports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and  Facebook.