TUSKEGEE, Ala. ^__ Tuskegee men's basketball is set to close out its home schedule on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Spring Hill to the Daniel "Chappie" James Center for a crucial SIAC contest.
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. as the Golden Tigers aim to bounce back from a road loss at Central State and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
 
Tuskegee enters the matchup with an 11-13 overall record and a 9-9 mark in conference play, while Spring Hill comes in at 8-15 overall and 6-12 in the SIAC.
 
GAMEDAY
Date: Saturday, Feb. 22
Time: 3:00 p.m. CT
Location: Tuskegee, Ala. (Daniel "Chappie" James Center)
Watch Live: Golden Tiger Sports Network (GTSN)
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
 
ABOUT TUSKEGEE (11-13, 9-9 SIAC)
The Golden Tigers have demonstrated resilience throughout the season, boasting a balanced roster that has produced competitive results.
 
Offensively, Tuskegee is averaging 65.5 points per game while shooting 43.2 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Their leading scorer, Kevin Sesberry, has been a consistent force, averaging 17.1 points per game while also contributing 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest.
 
Kusamae Draper has provided a strong inside presence, averaging 16.2 points and a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game.
 
D'Anthony Pennington has also played a pivotal role, contributing 12.7 points and leading the team with 2.6 assists per game while knocking down 36.3 percent of his three-point attempts.
 
Tuskegee has leaned on its defensive effort throughout the season, allowing just 63.3 points per game, which ranks among the best in the SIAC.
 
The Golden Tigers have been particularly effective at limiting opponents' shooting, holding teams to just 38.5 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from three-point range.
 
RJ Walker has been a key contributor on the defensive end, leading the team with 29 steals, while Draper has added 20 blocks to anchor the interior defense.
 
The team's rebounding efforts have also been a strength, averaging 36.5 rebounds per game with a +2.3 margin over their opponents.
 
ABOUT SPRING HILL (8-15, 6-12 SIAC)
Spring Hill, on the other hand, enters the matchup looking to improve on its inconsistent performances.

The Badgers are averaging 84.8 points per game but have struggled defensively, allowing 86.6 points per contest. They have been efficient from the floor, shooting 46.7 percent overall and 37.9 percent from three-point range, but defensive lapses have often led to high-scoring affairs against them.

Walter Peggs Jr. has been the primary scoring option for the Badgers, averaging an impressive 27.0 points per game while shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 44.3 percent from three.

Steven Lyles has been another key contributor, averaging 17.9 points and leading the team in rebounding with 6.5 boards per game. Timothy Reilly has been a force in the paint, averaging 11.4 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 62.1 percent from the field.

Despite their offensive prowess, the Badgers have struggled with turnovers, averaging 13.1 per game compared to just 10.0 for their opponents, leading to a -3.1 turnover margin.

Additionally, they have been outrebounded in multiple contests, averaging 35.8 boards per game while allowing 36.4. Spring Hill will need to tighten up defensively and take better care of the basketball if they hope to pull off a road victory against a defensively disciplined Tuskegee squad.

The last meeting between these two teams was a high-scoring affair, with Tuskegee pulling out a 104-99 overtime victory on the road. In that game, Sesberry delivered a dominant performance with 33 points and nine rebounds, while Draper added 20 points and seven boards. Peggs Jr. led Spring Hill with 33 points, but the Golden Tigers' defensive pressure proved to be the difference down the stretch.

With the SIAC Tournament approaching, both teams will be looking to gain momentum and improve their positioning in the conference standings.

Tuskegee will be aiming to secure a statement win in its final home game of the season, while Spring Hill will be fighting to stay competitive in the postseason race.

Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Golden Tigers as they take the court one last time at home before heading on the road to close out the regular season.

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.