TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ Tuskegee women's basketball team suffered a hard-fought defeat to Clark Atlanta in their Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) opener, falling 58-55 inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center.
The loss brings Tuskegee's overall record to 3-3 and their SIAC record to 0-1, as they were unable to overcome a late surge by the Panthers.
The game started with both teams trading baskets in a tightly contested first quarter. Clark Atlanta was able to take a slight edge, leading 17-13 at the end of the period.
Guards
Brittney Bolin and
La'Dajah Huguley played key roles in keeping Tuskegee within striking distance, combining for seven points in the first quarter.
However, Clark Atlanta's Atreonia Garner was a dominant presence, scoring nine of her game-high 27 points in the opening quarter to help her team build a small but steady lead.
In the second quarter, Tuskegee continued to battle and managed to keep the game within a reasonable margin, however shot just 28.6 percent (4-for-14) from the field.
Hilani Cantone led the team in the first half with seven points and three rebounds.
Despite scoring 13 points in the second quarter, Tuskegee couldn't make up the ground, and Clark Atlanta went into halftime with a 27-26 lead. Garner's ability to score in the paint was a key factor, as she continued to challenge Tuskegee's defense.
The third quarter saw both teams exchange leads multiple times. Tuskegee showed resilience, with Cantone leading the charge offensively. She made key plays, including a layup that gave Tuskegee its first advantage, a brief 28-27 lead.
Clark Atlanta responded with timely shooting and strong offensive rebounding. Garner continued her dominant performance, and Clark Atlanta capitalized on second-chance opportunities.
The Panthers outscored Tuskegee 12-15 in the third quarter, but the game remained within reach as the Golden Tigers leading 41-39 heading into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, the game reached its peak intensity. Tuskegee fought hard to stay in the game, but costly turnovers and missed opportunities allowed a back-and-forth game down the stretch.
Following a three from Bolin to take the lead to 51-44 with just under five minutes to play, the Panthers found success on both the ends to make a 11-0 run over the next three minutes. The Golden Tigers continued to battle but ultimately could not regain the lead, with Clark Atlanta finishing the game with a 58-55 victory.
Bolin led Tuskegee with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Cantone also finished in double figures, scoring 11 points and adding six rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Tuskegee will look to bounce back from this loss as they head into their next matchup, focusing on improving their shooting efficiency and minimizing turnovers.
The Golden Tigers' defense continues to be a strength, but they will need to execute more effectively on offense to compete with the top teams in the conference.
Up Next
Tuskegee will return to the court for their next matchup on Monday, December 2, as the team hits the road for a non-conference battle against North Georgia. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. ET inside of Lynn Cottrell Arena in Dahlonega, Georgia.
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.
