Day two highlighted by the Stillman Lady Tigers 72-68 victory over the top-ranked Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State.
Game #8 (2 p.m.) Women
Tuskegee University 78, LeMoyne-Owen College 72
The number four ranked Tigerettes of Tuskegee University advanced to the semi-finals of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Basketball Tournament with 72-68 win over the Lady Magicians of LeMoyne-Owen College. In a game that featured six ties and five lead changes, the Lady Magicians appeared on their way to the next round when they took a 10 point lead with 5:59 left in the game. Unfortunately, that appearance quickly changed as the Tigerettes reclaimed the lead with 3:16 remaining and never relinquished it.
The Tigerettes were led in scoring by Jennifer Anoka who finished with 28 points and eight rebounds. Tequila Martin added 21 points and eight rebounds. Shonice Sprouse led the Lady Magicians with 30 points.
The opponent for the Tigerettes in Friday’s semi-final game at 4 p.m. will be the winner of the quarterfinal match up between the number one seed Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University and the number eight seed Lady Tigers of Stillman College.
Game #9 (4 p.m.) Women
Stillman College 72, Fort Valley State University 68
In what was the first major upset of the tournament, the number eight ranked Lady Tigers of Stillman College defeated the number one seed Lady Wildcats of Fort Valley State University. Taking advantage of a 55.6% first half shooting performance, the Lady Tigers built a 13 point lead with 6:04 remaining. They took a seven point lead into the halftime, 40-33.
In the second half, the Lady Wildcats rallied to take a five point lead at the 11:20 mark. That lead quickly evaporated as the teams traded baskets down the stretch. In the end, the exceptional play of the Lady Tigers in the interior combined with clutch perimeter shooting made the difference in the 72-68 win over the defending conference champions.
Siera Dority was the outside spark for the Lady Tigers. She was eight of 13 in shooting with four, three point baskets. She finished with 23 points and four rebounds. On the inside, Alecia Young proved too difficult for the Lady Wildcats to contain. She had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jasmon Hazley added 10 points.
The Lady Tigers now advance to Friday’s semi-final game and will meet the Tigerettes of Tuskegee University at 4 p.m. in the Forbes Arena on the Morehouse College campus.
Game #10 (6 p.m.) Men
Claflin University 96, Stillman College 80
In the men’s quarterfinal between the fourth ranked Panthers of Claflin University and the fifth ranked Tigers of Stillman College, the fans at the 77th Annual SIAC Basketball Tournament were treated to an offensive treat. In addition to both teams shooting over 40% from the floor, the teams combined for 15 three-point baskets and each team had five players to score in double figures.
In the first half the early momentum favored the Tigers of Stillman who had a nine point lead with 17:02 left. The Panthers reversed that momentum rather easily by taking a 48-36 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Panther lead was stretched to 16 points at the 15:49 mark. Outscored, 48-44 in the final 20 minutes, the Tigers fell to the Panthers, 96-80.
For Claflin, the five players in double figure scoring included Michael Jones (22 points), Eric Salley (23 points), Anthony Pigram (20 points), Thomas Bookman (14 points), and Efe Uawadiae-Odigie (12).
For Stillman, William Skyler was the game’s leading scorer with 29 points. Gerard Devaughn had 16 points while Lajay Sears contributed 13. Omari Murray added 12 points and Rakee Anderson tallied 10.
The Panthers of Claflin now advance to the semi-final game on Friday (March 5th) at 8 p.m. when they meet the number one seed Panthers of Clark Atlanta University who advanced with a win in the quarterfinals over the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University.
Game #11 (8 p.m.) Men
Clark Atlanta University 78, Kentucky State University 60
The number one seed Panthers of Clark Atlanta University advanced to the semi-final round after a 78-60 win over the ninth ranked Thorobreds of Kentucky State University in the quarterfinal round.
In a game in which they never trailed, the Panthers shot 48.9% from the floor, went 6 of 12 in three-point shooting; and converted 26 of 30 free throw attempts.
The Panthers were led in scoring by Najee Lane who finished with 23 points and six rebounds. David Brown, Jourdain Blackmon, and Mike Creppy each added 12 points.
The Panthers will now meet the Panthers of Claflin University in Friday’s (March 5th) semi-final game at 8 p.m.