MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Tuskegee men's basketball closed out opening-weekend action with a statement victory on Saturday evening, defeating host Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) 73-58 inside the AUM Athletics Complex. The win secured a split in the SIAC-GSC Challenge after the Golden Tigers fell in Friday's season opener against West Florida.
Tuskegee (1-1) dominated from the opening tip, holding AUM scoreless for more than three minutes and opening the game on a 6-0 run fueled by early paint touches from junior forward
Kusamae Draper. The Golden Tigers led wire-to-wire, building a 30-15 halftime advantage behind suffocating defense, relentless rebounding, and 20 first-half points from the reigning All-SIAC performer.
AUM (1-1) made a strong push early in the second half, knocking down nine threes after the break to trim the deficit to as little as four at the 9:11 mark. But Tuskegee responded with poise, using a 10-4 run sparked by
RJ Walker and
Khalil Genwright to regain control. The Golden Tigers extended the margin back to double digits and never allowed the Warhawks to pull within striking distance again.
Draper delivered a dominant two-way performance, finishing with 30 points on 10-of-19 shooting and securing six rebounds while drawing nine fouls and converting 10-of-15 free throws. Twenty of his points came in the first half alone as he set the tone inside.
Walker added 15 points, including 8-for-8 from the free-throw line and a key three-pointer during Tuskegee's second-half response. Genwright chipped in 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, and team-high +20 plus/minus.
Tuskegee's physicality and effort on the boards proved decisive. The Golden Tigers outrebounded AUM 45-28, generated 36 points in the paint, and scored and scored 17 fast-break points while holding the Warhawks without a fast-break basket. Tuskegee's bench also contributed quality minutes, combining for nine points and 15 rebounds.
AUM was led by Marius Canery, who totaled 22 points fueled by four made threes. Colby Williams added a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
With the win, Tuskegee earns its first victory of the 2025-26 season under head coach
Benjy Taylor, showing promising cohesion, toughness, and defensive tenacity in just the second outing of the year.
Up Next
Tuskegee (1-1) returns home for their regular season home-opener this week as they host Fort Valley State on Thursday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m. inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center.
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