TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ The Tuskegee University Golden Tigers men's basketball team is set to face Georgia Southwestern State in a non-conference matchup at home inside the Daniel "Chappie" James Center on Tuesday, November 26, at 3 p.m. CT.
Tuskegee enters the game with a 1-4 overall record, including a 1-1 mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), following a dominant 85-47 victory over Benedict. Georgia Southwestern State comes in with a 4-2 record, aiming to continue their successful run this season.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 26
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 (1-4, 1-1 SIAC)
Tuskegee has shown flashes of promise despite their early season struggles. The Golden Tigers' 85-47 win over Benedict was a highlight, fueled by double figure performances from Christopher Whitmore Jr., Kusamae Draper, and Rodney Walker Jr.
Draper, the team's leading scorer so far, has averaged 13.4 points per game, while shooting 47.3 percent from the field. The forward's ability to fill up the stat sheet, also contributing 5.0 rebounds per game, has been key for Tuskegee, particularly in their recent win against Benedict.
Kevin Sesberry has also stepped up with another year of experience, averaging 13.0 points per game, scoring in double figures in four of five games and shooting 46 percent from the field. His rebounding (4.8 per game) and defensive intensity (0.7 steals per game) have been crucial for the Golden Tigers' overall team defense.
Adding to the offensive firepower is D'Anthony Pennington, who has emerged as the third double-figure scorer for Tuskegee. Pennington, a steady guard, is averaging 11.4 points per game, with shooting splits of 37.1 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three-point range.
As a team, Tuskegee's performance against Benedict was indicative of their potential when they execute effectively. TU shot 56.1 percent from the field overall, including 60.9 percent in the second half, and dominated the bench points, out-scoring Benedict 39-20.
However, despite the strong showing against Benedict, the Golden Tigers will need to improve their three-point shooting (30.5 percent) and free-throw efficiency (53.4 percent) to compete with a well-rounded Georgia Southwestern team.
Tuskegee's turnovers have also been a concern, as they are averaging 14.6 turnovers per game, which they'll need to reduce to avoid costly mistakes against the high-scoring Georgia Southwestern squad.
ABOUT GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN STATE (4-2, 0-0 PBC)
Georgia Southwestern State enters the game with a strong 4-2 record, having recently come off a 69-66 victory over West Alabama.
They have a potent offense, averaging 82.7 points per game, led by Josiah Shackelford, who is averaging 18.7 points per game on 56.6 percent shooting from the field. Shackelford's scoring ability, coupled with his nine rebounds per game, has made him a key player to watch.
Justin Monden is another standout player for Georgia Southwestern, averaging 14.7 points per game and contributing 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game, showcasing his versatility. Meanwhile, Tim Hall Jr., Lars Nilsen, and Matt Ansah also all average double figures, with Hall at 13.2 points, followed by Nilsen and Ansah at 12.8 and 11.2 points per game respectively.
Defensively, Georgia Southwestern has shown they can be a physical team, ranking near the top in the Peach Belt in rebounding with an average of 40.3 boards per game.
They also apply consistent pressure, forcing 5.8 steals per game. However, they have struggled at times with turnovers (12.2 per game), and will need to limit those to maintain control of the game.
Tuskegee will also need to focus on improving their shooting percentages. In particular, the Golden Tigers' three-point shooting and free-throw shooting percentages will need to improve to keep pace with Georgia Southwestern's efficient scoring attack.
Tuskegee will look to build on their dominant win against Benedict and improve their overall record as they take on Georgia Southwestern in this exciting non-conference matchup. Fans are encouraged to attend and support the Golden Tigers in their pursuit of another victory.
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.
