JACKSON, Tenn. __ Tuskegee men's basketball took a hard-fought 51-50 victory over Lane in a dramatic Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) battle inside Oman Arena on Monday night.
With the win, the Golden Tigers bounced back from the road loss to Miles on Saturday and improved the Golden Tigers to 9-9 overall and 7-5 in the SIAC.
The game was an intense defensive struggle, and both teams found it difficult to score in the first half.
Tuskegee held a narrow 24-19 lead heading into the break, but Lane mounted a strong effort in the second half, outscoring Tuskegee 31-27.
However, the Golden Tigers were able to dig deep in the final moments to secure the win, including a defensive stop in the closing seconds that preserved their one-point lead.
Tuskegee was led by senior guard
Kusamae Draper, who had a standout performance, finishing with a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds, along with a pair of steals.He was efficient from the field, shooting 8-of-13, and his presence was felt throughout the game, especially in key moments.
Kevin Sesberry also provided a significant offensive spark, finishing with 16 points and five rebounds, while shooting 5-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range.
Despite some struggles in the first half, Tuskegee's defense and second-chance opportunities helped them maintain a slim lead.
The Golden Tigers' defense was a crucial factor in keeping them in the game and later earning the win. Tuskegee's pressure forced nine turnovers from Lane, despite committing 26 themselves.
Their ability to secure key rebounds in the second half, particularly by Draper, was pivotal in keeping the game close and eventually winning.
Lane's Elijah Greer Dawson led the home team with 14 points and three rebounds but struggled with his shooting, hitting just 2-of-11 attempts.
Despite their effort, Lane could not overcome their shooting struggles, finishing with a shooting percentage of just 28.8 percent. The Golden Tigers' defense limited Lane to 3-of-18 shooting from three-point range and forced them into several bad shot attempts.
Tuskegee's victory was critical, as it improved their standing in the SIAC West Division. The Golden Tigers' balanced offensive and defensive efforts will be key as they look to carry this momentum into future conference matchups.
Up Next
Tuskegee will remain on the road this weekend as its next matchup will be against Spring Hill on Saturday, February 1. Tip-off for the conference matchup is set for 3:00 p.m. inside the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation 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.
