TUSKEGEE, Ala. – Tuskegee women's basketball will open their postseason journey in the SIAC Basketball Championship presented by Cricket as they host Albany State in the first round on Saturday, March 1, at 1:00 p.m. CT inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center.
 
The Golden Tigers, the No. 2 seed in the SIAC West Division, enter the game with a 17-9 overall record and a 14-5 mark in conference play. Meanwhile, Albany State, the No. 7 seed in the East Division, will come in with an 8-17 overall record and a 5-14 conference mark.
 
With a win, Tuskegee will advance to the quarterfinal round, where they will compete at Forbes Arena on the campus of Morehouse College next week.
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Mar. 1
Time: 1:00 p.m. CT
Location: Tuskegee, Ala. (Daniel "Chappie" James Center)
Watch Live: Golden Tiger Sports Network (GTSN)
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
 
ABOUT TUSKEGEE (17-9, 14-5 SIAC)
Tuskegee enters the postseason riding the momentum of a strong defensive effort throughout the season.
 
The Golden Tigers have allowed just 53.9 points per game, ranking among the top defensive units in the SIAC. Their defensive intensity has led to an impressive 8.7 steals per game, forcing opponents into turnovers and converting them into transition opportunities.
 
On the glass, Tuskegee has been a dominant rebounding team, averaging 38.4 rebounds per contest, with a slight edge over their opponents, who average 36.8 rebounds per game.
 
The Golden Tigers' ability to control the boards and limit second-chance points will be a key factor in their tournament run.
 
Leading the way for Tuskegee is Hilani Cantone, who has been the team's most consistent offensive player this season. The senior guard has averaged 11.5 points per game while shooting 41.6% from the field. She has also been an all-around contributor with 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per contest.
 
Brittney Bolin has been a sharpshooter from the perimeter, scoring 10.8 points per game and making 29 three-pointers this season, while also averaging 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a team-high 1.9 steals per game.
 
Jasmine Manuel has been a force in the paint, leading the team with 6.5 rebounds per game while scoring 8.4 points per game. Her presence in the post will be pivotal against Albany State's rebounding attack.
 
Meanwhile, Alexandria Johnson has provided 7.3 points per game and has been another consistent perimeter threat, making 17 three-pointers on the season.
 
ABOUT ALBANY STATE (8-17, 5-14 SIAC)
The Golden Rams have endured an up-and-down season but remain a dangerous team capable of pulling off an upset.
 
Albany State enters the tournament averaging 62.1 points per game while allowing 60.5 points per contest. They have struggled with efficiency, shooting just 36.5% from the field and 22.3% from three-point range.
 
The Golden Rams are led by Keyra Peterson, who has been their most productive player, averaging 11.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She has recorded several double-doubles this season and will be a key matchup for Tuskegee's post players.
 
Na'Haviya Paxton is another impact player for Albany State, averaging 7.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. She is a strong rebounder and will challenge Tuskegee's defense inside.
 
Albany State's biggest strength is its ability to rebound, as the Golden Rams rank among the best in the SIAC with 43.5 rebounds per game. However, their high turnover rate (23.0 turnovers per game) has been a major issue, and Tuskegee will look to exploit that with defensive pressure.
 
Tuskegee and Albany State met once during the regular season, with the Golden Tigers securing a 51-47 overtime victory on Jan. 15 in a defensive battle. In that game, Brittney Bolin led Tuskegee with 15 points, while Keyra Peterson had 8 points and 8 rebounds for Albany State.
 
The Golden Tigers held Albany State to just 30% shooting and forced 20 turnovers. Replicating that defensive effort will be crucial as they look to advance in the SIAC Tournament.
 
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.