TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Behind a dominant defensive performance and a wire-to-wire lead, Tuskegee men's basketball earned a 56-45 victory over Clark Atlanta on Saturday afternoon inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center.
 
The win marked the Golden Tigers' second conference victory in three days, improving TU to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in SIAC play.
 
Tuskegee seized momentum early and never surrendered it. After CAU opened with a three-pointer at the 19:28 mark, Tuskegee answered with a burst sparked by Anthony Wright, who got TU on the board with a fast-break dunk following a steal and assist from RJ Walker at 18:26.
 
Following a three-pointer from Walker, Khalil Genwright converted two free throws and tipped in a second-chance layup to push Tuskegee ahead 10-5 with 10:52 left in the first half, part of a 7-0 run that helped settle Tuskegee into control.
 
The Golden Tigers continued to build their lead with efficient defense and extra-effort plays on the glass. Noah Goines sparked multiple extra possessions with three offensive rebounds in the first half, while Genwright added another putback at the 4:24 mark to extend the lead to 16-10.
 
Tuskegee closed the half strong as Walker sank two free throws at 3:16, Derreck Bolton III connected on a pull-up jumper at 2:08, and Kusamae Draper delivered a smooth hook shot with 17 seconds left to send TU into halftime up 25-18.
 
Clark Atlanta made an early push in the second half, but Tuskegee responded immediately. After a CAU layup to open the period, Walker knocked down a transition three at 17:29 to rebuild the cushion. Shider scored inside at 16:24, and Goines followed with a driving layup and a free throw to push the margin to 30-21.
 
The Golden Tigers' biggest surge came beginning at the 15:28 mark, back-to-back second-chance baskets from Goines and a steal-and-score fast-break layup by Draper made it 41-27 with 11:14 remaining.
 
That stretch ignited Tuskegee's decisive run. With 10:13 left, Wright found Draper cutting baseline for a two-handed dunk that ballooned the lead to 43-27.
 
Genwright followed with a fast-break finish at 9:52, completing a three-point play to give Tuskegee its largest lead of the day at 46-27.
 
Clark Atlanta attempted to chip away at the margin through the final minutes, but the Golden Tigers repeatedly shut the door. Webb converted a fast-break layup off a steal with 8:16 remaining, Draper added another inside basket at 6:43, and Genwright sealed the game at the free-throw line with four makes in the final four minutes.
 
The Panthers added a late 5-0 burst in the final minute, but the Golden Tigers closed out the 56-45 victory without relinquishing their double-digit cushion.
 
Genwright finished with a game-high 16 points to go with four rebounds, followed by 12 points and eight rebounds from Draper as the lone double figure scorers for the Golden Tigers. Walker added nine points and four assists, while Keyon Webb grabbed nine rebounds to go along with his four points.
 
The win positions Tuskegee firmly among the early SIAC leaders as the team continues to establish defensive identity and consistency
 
Up Next
Tuskegee returns to action for another home matchup on Monday, Dec. 1, hosting Morehouse at 7 p.m. inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center.

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