TUSKEGEE, Ala. ^__ The Golden Tiger men's basketball team is gearing up for a competitive matchup against Fayetteville State in the HBCU All-Star Challenge on Saturday, November 16, at 3 p.m. ET.
 
Hosted at L.S. Epps Gymnasium at Clark Atlanta, this non-conference game gives Tuskegee an opportunity to bounce back after a challenging start to the season.
 
The Golden Tigers come into the contest with an 0-3 record and are seeking their first victory following their SIAC-opening loss to Albany State earlier in the week. Fayetteville State, on the other hand, has shown promise with a 2-1 record, highlighted by victories over Lock Haven and a close win against UNC Pembroke.
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Nov. 16
Time: 3 p.m. (ET)
Location: Atlanta, Ga. (L.S. Epps Gymnasium)
Watch Live: Urban Edge Network (HBCU+)
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
 
ABOUT TUSKEGEE (0-3, 0-1 SIAC)
Tuskegee has averaged 64.5 points per game over their first three outings, but they've struggled with efficiency, shooting 35.5 percent from the field.
 
The team has also worked to find consistency from beyond the arc, currently posting a 21.9 percent three-point shooting percentage. Free-throw shooting has been another area Tuskegee aims to improve, converting just over 63 percent of their attempts from the line.
 
Despite these challenges, the Golden Tigers have shown promise on the boards, averaging 35 rebounds per game, with key contributions from both guards and forwards to help secure second-chance points.
 
Defensively, the Golden Tigers have been resilient, holding opponents to a 42.7 percent field goal percentage and maintaining solid rebounding margins that keep them in contention.
 
Tuskegee has focused on tightening their defense around the paint, forcing opponents into contested shots. Turnovers have been a hurdle, with the Golden Tigers averaging 17 turnovers per game, which has limited their scoring opportunities and given opponents the advantage in fast-break situations.
 
Kevin Sesberry has been a standout on both ends of the court, averaging 15.0 points per game on an efficient 45.0 percent shooting from the field over the last two games. His ability to find scoring opportunities and penetrate defenses has been critical for Tuskegee, especially when the team has struggled with outside shooting.
 
Kusamae Draper has averaged 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game over the last two contests, with a reliable 47.4 percent shooting accuracy. He's also been effective in attacking the paint, aiding the flow of Tuskegee's offense and creating opportunities for his teammates to find open shots.
 
Rodney Walker Jr. has also been an important player for the Golden Tigers, providing consistent scoring with an average of 10.5 points per game over the last two. Although he's been shooting at a lower 31.3 percent clip, Walker Jr. has made up for it with defensive intensity, recording 1.3 steals per game. His defensive skills have been valuable, giving Tuskegee extra possessions and helping to maintain pressure on opposing guards.
 
ABOUT FAYETTEVILLE STATE (2-1, 0-0 CIAA)
Fayetteville State has shown balanced performance through their first three games, averaging an impressive 77.0 points per game with a solid shooting percentage of 45.5 percent.
 
They have been particularly effective at the free-throw line, with an 81.7 percent success rate. Tairell Fletcher leads the team with a standout average of 23.3 points per game, shooting 55.8 percent from the field and demonstrating his impact as a key scorer.
 
Caleb Simmons has been a force on the glass, averaging 8.0 rebounds per game, which has been crucial to Fayetteville's rebounding margin of plus-2.7. Tuskegee's defense will need to contain Fletcher and Simmons to disrupt Fayetteville's offense and create more transition opportunities.
 
In addition, Fayetteville's proficiency from beyond the arc, where they shoot 35.5 percent, could present a challenge for the Golden Tigers if left unchecked. Conversely, Tuskegee will look to improve their efficiency from three-point range, as they currently average 21.9 percent, and capitalize on free-throw opportunities to stay competitive.
 
With the backdrop of an exciting HBCU Challenge setting, this game provides both teams with an opportunity to test their mettle early in the season. Tuskegee will be looking to build team chemistry and break into the win column, while Fayetteville aims to continue their momentum and add to their winning record.
                       
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.