TUSKEGEE, Ala. | A career night from James Eads and four players in double figures for Tuskegee was enough to push the Golden Tigers past Central State (Ohio) 71-65 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) action Saturday evening at Chappie James Arena.
 
Eads scored a career-high 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor to pace four players in doubles figures, which included 12 points and six rebounds from Elijah McMillan. Kevin May finished with 11 point, six rebounds and five assists for the Golden Tigers, while Camden Foster finished with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists for Tuskegee (8-5, 4-2 SIAC).
 
The Golden Tigers finished the night shooting 44.4 (24-of-54) percent from the floor and 33.3 (8-of-24) percent from beyond the arc. They also connected on 83.3 (15-of-18) percent of their free throws and won the rebounding battle, 38-33.
 
Leading for much of the game, the Golden Tigers fell behind 62-59 with just 4:29 remaining in the game. However, they quickly tied the game at 62-all on a three-pointer from May as the shot clock expired with 4:04 to play in the contest.
 
They were able to take the lead on a pair of free throws from Eads with 2:41 to play and a 15-footer from Foster with 1:57 to play to push the lead to 66-62.
 
The strangest play of the night occurred with just 1:13 to play in the contest as Tuskegee was awarded a timeout, but also assessed a 10-second violation. What could have been devastating to the Golden Tigers turned in their favor, as Central State inbounded the ball and quickly turned it over giving the possession back to Tuskegee.
 
The Golden Tigers were able to put the game out of reach following the turnover as May and Foster combined to hit six free throws down the stretch for the final score.
 
Tre' Edwards and Sean Cassidy, Jr. finished with 13 points each for Central State (5-7, 5-4 SIAC), while Hosie Smith, Jr. chipped in 10 points and Jeremy Brown nine rebounds in the loss.
 
The Golden Tigers return to action Monday night against Kentucky State in their second of four consecutive games at Chappie James. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm Monday night.
 
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