Tuskegee bows out early in the NCAA regionals 82-61
The thirteenth-ranked Golden Suns (26-5) of Arkansas Tech University advanced to the semifinal round of the NCAA South Region Tournament with an 82-61 victory over the Tigerettes (21-9) of Tuskegee in the first round Friday at Walter Sillers Coliseum. Brittany Evans pictured left led TU with 17 points.
After a closely played first half that saw ATU take a 29-24 lead into the locker room, the Golden Suns erupted for 53 second half points to cruise to the win. ATU shot 61-percent in the second half and 51-percent for the game. TU managed 39-percent for the game. ATU out-rebounded TU 43-28 and forced 15 Tigerettes turnovers. ATU dominatedi n the paint scoring 44 points, 32 of which came in the 2nd half. They also capitalized off 2nd chance points scoring 26 to TUs 11. Tuskegee’s starters were held in check but their bench came up big scoring 22 points to ATU’s four in the game.
Amanda Grappe led ATU and all scorers with 31 points. The junior from Benton, Ark., set a new record for points in an NCAA playoff game for the Golden Suns. Krishna Baker and Diana Domingos added 19 points each in the win.
Tuskegee was led by Brittany Evans (pictured above) with 17 points. Aisha Johnson added 15 points. Crystal Betton, the SIAC regular season and tournament MVP, was held to just 8 points. The Tigerettes of Tuskegee, champions of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, close their season 21-9 overall.
ATU advances and will face the winner of the Tampa versus Valdosta State match-up Saturday night at 6 p.m.
In other SIAC action, Kentucky State will face the #1 seed in the South and in the Nation Delta State tonight at 6pm.