TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ The Tuskegee women's basketball team opened 2024 with a tough SIAC game, taking a 63-56 victory at Allen on Thursday evening to improve to 7-3 on the year.
The Golden Tigers got a game-high 23-point performance from junior Brittney Bolin, as the Trophy Club, Texas, native shot a blistering 63.6% from the floor, hit a game-high six three-pointers along with seven assists. She was followed by 15 points from Sumaiyah Abdur-Rahim, and ten points and eight rebounds from Arielle McElroy.
Tuskegee set the tone early against the Yellow Jackets, opening the game on an 12-4 run. Bolin scored nine points for the Golden Tigers during the spurt, including a trio of three-pointers. TU concluded the first quarter with a nine-point lead at 19-10, shooting 50 percent from the field and 5-of-8 marks from long range.
The second quarter was a struggle for the home team, as they shot just 14.3 percent from the floor, making just 2-of-14 from the field and missing all seven three-point attempts in the frame. Allen forced Tuskegee into six turnovers, converting six points off the miscues and cut the lead to just one point at 24-23 at the half.
After a jumper from Cynaye Bobbitt to open scoring out of the break, Allen scored the next six points of the quarter to take a 29-26 lead over Tuskegee and later went up five with just under six minutes to play.
Abdur-Rahim ended the run, scoring four straight points, followed by a score plus the foul shot from Bolin to give Tuskegee the lead again at 36-34.
Allen responded with another six-point swing to regain the edge; however, the Golden Tigers finished the third 12-6 run and a 48-45 lead heading into the final period.
The game remained tight in the fourth, as the teams exchanged leads five times in the early minutes. The Yellow Jackets pulled even with the Golden Tigers late in the quarter, as a fast break score tied the game at 56-56 with 3:09 left in the contest. McElroy sank her second three-point field goal of the night to give Tuskegee a 59-56 advantage going into the game's final two minutes, followed by a jumper from Abdur-Rahim to gain control with 1:34 remaining. The Golden Tigers would hold the lead for the remainder of the game to move to 4-2 in SIAC play.
Up Next
Tuskegee will continue its four-game home stand on Saturday, Jan. 6 against Benedict. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on the Golden Tiger Sports Network.
How to Follow the Golden Tigers
For complete information on Tuskegee Golden Tigers Women's Basketball, visit GoldenTigerSports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
