TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Tuskegee men's basketball used a strong second-half effort and balanced scoring to secure a 73-70 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Lane College on Saturday afternoon inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center.
The Golden Tigers entered the second half trailing but opened the final 20 minutes with determined defense and efficient offensive execution. Tuskegee outscored the Dragons 47-41 in the second frame, punctuating the comeback with timely baskets and defensive stands that ultimately separated the home team in a tightly contested matchup.
The duo of
Kusamae Draper and
Khalil Genwright led all scorers with 19 points each, showcasing a balance of physicality in the paint and converting clutch baskets that helped preserve possessions in critical moments. Guard
Derrek Bolton III supplied a strong scoring spark off the bench with 14 points, connecting on a trio of three-pointers and attacking the rim to keep Tuskegee competitive throughout.
Senior guard
RJ Walker contributed 10 points with several dynamic drives that lifted the Golden Tigers at key points, while junior forward
Anthony Wright added seven points and a career-high 16 rebounds, anchoring Tuskegee's effort on the glass against a physical Lane frontcourt.
As a team, Tuskegee finished the game shooting just 27.8 percent from the field (20-for-72) and 21.9 percent from beyond the arc (7-for-32) but capitalized at the free-throw line, where the Golden Tigers connected on 26 of 41 attempts.
Tuskegee also controlled the rebounding battle with 30 total rebounds and turned defensive energy into fast break opportunities that proved decisive late in the game.
Lane responded with balanced scoring of its own, paced by Chase Murray and Elijah Greer Dawson, who each finished with 18 points. Murray was efficient from the floor and behind the arc, while Greer Dawson added six free throws made in a strong offensive night for the Dragons. Meanwhile, Jarrell Love contributed 11 points, and Elijah Lewis added eight in the effort to keep Lane within striking distance throughout.
The Golden Tigers displayed poise down the stretch, closing out the win in front of the home crowd and improving to 11-2 overall and 10-1 in SIAC play. Tuskegee's ability to maintain defensive pressure and capitalize on free-throw opportunities in the second half was instrumental in the victory.
Up Next
Tuskegee will continue SIAC play on Wednesday, Jan. 14, welcoming Spring Hill to the Daniel "Chappie" James Center for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
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.
