ALBANY, Ga. __ In their SIAC opener, the Tuskegee men's basketball team battled fiercely but ultimately fell short against Albany State, 66-60, at the Arena at West Campus.
This narrow loss puts the Golden Tigers at 0-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play. Tuskegee started strong and went into halftime with a 33-28 lead, thanks to solid shooting and aggressive play on both ends.
Rodney Walker Jr. led the charge, scoring 17 points and adding seven rebounds, while
Kevin Sesberry was a force in the paint with 15 points and eight rebounds.
The first half saw Tuskegee control the tempo, shooting an efficient 45.5 percent from the field and maintaining a balanced attack. Walker, who posted 12 of his 17 points in the first half, was instrumental in keeping the offense flowing.
Tuskegee's defense also stifled Albany State, holding them to just 37 percent shooting, including a tough shooting night inside the arc. Key scoring bursts from Tuskegee kept Albany at bay, allowing the Golden Tigers to close the half up by five points.
In the second half, however, Albany State mounted a comeback, taking advantage of free-throw opportunities and stepping up their defensive intensity. Albany State improved their shooting percentage, hitting crucial shots from beyond the arc, where they finished 10-for-26 overall.
Tuskegee struggled with turnovers under Albany State's pressure, which shifted the game's momentum. Despite Tuskegee's best efforts, missed free throws in the second half—where they converted just six out of 16 attempts—allowed Albany State to chip away at the lead.
Albany State's Shakur Poteat and Kendale John were critical in their comeback, combining for seven three-pointers that kept the game within reach. Poteat finished with 17 points, while Cameron Evans added 14 points for the Golden Rams, who eventually outscored Tuskegee 38-27 in the second half.
The Golden Rams' proficiency at the line was decisive, as they connected on 14-for-17 free throws in the final period, helping to extend their lead in the closing minutes.
On the defensive side, Tuskegee put forth a strong team effort, with
Kusamae Draper contributing six rebounds along with eight points while providing crucial defense around the rim.
Noah Goines added depth off the bench, scoring six points and pulling down key rebounds, while
Dylan Cambridge added five points and five rebounds.
Still, Albany State's late-game surge and accurate free-throw shooting proved too much for Tuskegee to overcome.
Despite the loss, Tuskegee's performances from Walker and Sesberry highlighted the team's potential, with Walker's scoring versatility and Sesberry's presence inside giving a glimpse of the offensive power they can wield.
Looking forward, Tuskegee will focus on refining their free-throw shooting and improving ball control as they prepare for the remainder of their SIAC schedule, aiming to rebound from this tough start with a renewed focus on converting close-game opportunities into wins.
Up Next
The Golden Tigers now set their sights on their upcoming matchup this weekend as part of the ATL Has Something to Say HBCU Challenge. Tuskegee is set to face off against Fayetteville State inside L.S. Epps Gymnasium at 2 p.m. ET.
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
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