WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Tuskegee women's basketball team saw its 10-game winning streak come to an end on Monday night, falling 58-52 in a tightly contested SIAC matchup against Central State at the Beacom-Lewis Gymnasium.
The loss drops the Golden Tigers to 15-9 overall and 12-5 in conference play, as they look to regroup heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Tuskegee started the game strong, controlling the tempo early and building an advantage with an aggressive defensive approach.
Hilani Cantone sparked the offense in the first quarter, scoring five quick points, while Brittney Bolin and Jasmine Manuel combined for key baskets inside.
The Golden Tigers closed the opening period with a 17-13 lead, holding Central State to just 18.2 percent shooting from the field.
The second quarter saw Tuskegee extend its lead to double digits, as Cantone and Cynaye Bobbit continued to attack the basket, and the Golden Tigers' defense remained dominant.
Tuskegee went on a 7-0 run midway through the period, capped by an Alexandria Johnson three-pointer to push the lead to 28-16 with 4:22 remaining in the half.
However, Central State responded with a defensive adjustment, forcing Tuskegee into several missed shots and limiting them to just three field goals in the period. The Marauders cut the deficit to 28-18 at the break.
Central State gained momentum in the third quarter, fueled by Camryn Nadir's strong play in the paint and a defensive effort that held Tuskegee to just one made field goal in the entire period.
The Marauders opened the second half on a 7-0 run, cutting the Golden Tigers' lead to 29-25.
Tuskegee struggled to regain its offensive rhythm, shooting just ten percent from the field (1-of-10) in teh third quarter, while Central State's aggresive rebounding and second-chance points allowed them to claw back.
A late jumper from Jacquel Bronaugh gave Central State its first lead of the game at 31-30. By the end of the quarter, Tuskegee trailed 38-35 after being outscored 13-7 the frame.
The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle, as both teams traded baskets in the opening minutes.
Tuskegee momentarily regained the lead at 39-37 after Cantone converted a tough layup inside. However, Central State responded with a key three-pointer from Nadya McCown to swing the momentum back in the Marauders' favor.
In the final five minutes, Central State executed at the free-throw line, converting 12-of-16 from the stripe to keep Tuskegee at bay.
Despite late efforts from Bolin and Manuel, the Golden Tigers could not close the gap, ultimately falling 58-52.
Up Next
Tuskegee will return to the court on Saturday, February 22 for another conference contest and their final home game of the season, as they host Spring Hill. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center.
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.
