TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ Despite a valiant effort, Tuskegee men's basketball was defeated by LeMoyne-Owen, by a final score of 67-59, bringing the Golden Tigers' record to 6-8 overall and 4-4 in SIAC play inside of Daniel "Chappie" James Center on Saturday afternoon.
The game started off with a close matchup, but LeMoyne-Owen quickly gained an advantage.
They led the first half 34-20, thanks to a strong offensive performance, hitting 50 percent of their field goals (13-of-26) while limiting Tuskegee's shooting to just 33.3 percent (8-of-24).
Tuskegee struggled with turnovers, committing 10 in the first half, which allowed LeMoyne-Owen to capitalize and extend their lead off 13 points off the miscues.
Despite the challenges, Tuskegee managed to stay in the game by maintaining a slight advantage in second-chance points and fast breaks.
In the second half, Tuskegee mounted a comeback, cutting the deficit to as little as six points, but they were unable to overcome the deficit as LeMoyne-Owen continued to execute in crucial moments.
LeMoyne-Owen maintained their control with a balanced offensive attack, highlighted by standout performances from players like Khalil Genwright and Austin Jordan, who contributed 17 and 11 points respectively.
Tuskegee find more consistent shooting in the second half, shooting 50 percent (13-of-26) from the field, helping them make its run.
Kevin Sesberry was a standout performer for Tuskegee, finishing with a game-high 26 points, along with eight rebounds and one steal. His performance kept the Golden Tigers in the contest, but they were unable to execute well enough to complete the comeback.
Kusamae Draper added 15 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double on the season, while D'Anthony Pennington finished with 11 points and four rebounds in a hard-fought effort.
LeMoyne-Owen capitalized on Tuskegee's turnovers, converting them into 26 bench points and second-chance opportunities.
Additionally, LeMoyne-Owen's solid free-throw shooting, hitting 18-of-22 attempts (81.8 percent), helped them maintain their lead throughout the second half.
While Tuskegee had flashes of brilliance, their overall offensive struggles, combined with LeMoyne-Owen's defensive pressure and ability to convert on turnovers, ultimately led to their 67-59 defeat.
With this loss, Tuskegee will look to regroup as they continue their SIAC campaign, aiming to improve their shooting efficiency and limit turnovers as they move forward in the season.
Up Next
The Golden Tigers will have a week between games as they continue a home stretch, hosting Central State on Saturday, January 18. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center.
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.
