From the SIAC
Game 14 (Women)
#2W (Lane), 57 vs. Albany State, 68
Box Score | Lane Post Game Interview | Albany State Post Game Interview
To cap off day four of the SIAC Basketball Tournament, the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center was treated to an instant classic. After coming off a qualifying round victory the Lady Rams of Albany State hoped to keep their hot streak going against the favored Lady Dragons of Lane College. Coming into the game, Lane was feared throughout the SIAC for their revered play from its post players. That fear was confirmed in the first half of a close game as Lane’s forward and all-conference honoree, Kayla Simmons, lit up the scoreboard with 15 early points. However, the Lady Rams refused to go away and began to force the ball away from Simmons. This strategy proved pivotal with Simmons only scoring four points in the second half. The game came down to the wire, with the Lady Rams of Albany State pulling off the upset victory, 68-57. Up next for the Lady Rams is a matchup against No. 1 seed Savannah State Lady Tigers on Friday at 12:00pm.
Game 15 (Women)
#2E (Benedict), 71 vs. Miles, 53
Box Score | Benedict Post Game Interview | Miles Post Game Interview
From the outset the Lady Tigers of Benedict College made their presence known in their first game of the tournament. Jumping out to an early lead in the first quarter and not looking back en route to a 71-53 victory. Off all of the Lady Tigers who took the floor during the game, only three of thirteen players were unable to register a point. Keondra Archie led the way for the Lady Tigers with 18 points and five rebounds while also dishing out 3 assists in the process. Up next for the Lady Tigers is a highly anticipated semifinal matchup with the Tuskegee Golden Tigers set for 2:15 pm on Friday at Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.
Game 16 (Men)
#2E (Benedict) 83 vs. LeMoyne-Owen 67
Box Score | Benedict Post Game Interview | Lemoyne-Owen Post Game Interview
Game 16 of the SIAC 2022 Championship Tournament featured the Tigers of Benedict College in the East Division and the Magicians of LeMoyne-Owen out of the West. Benedict’s streaky three-point shooting helped them jump out to an early lead, and their energy on defense kept Lemoyne-Owen from building any rhythm on offense. Lemoyne-Owen’s poor shooting performance prevented them from closing the gap. They shot 1-for-16 from the three-point line in the game, while Benedict hit 12 total three pointers. The majority of Benedict’s offense came from their stellar defense, as they were able to find a lot of open looks in transition. Benedict’s guard Timothy Bing Jr, was the game’s leading scorer finishing with 22 points. Benedict will be matched up against the No. 1 seed in the West, Miles College, in the Semifinal round on Friday at 4:45 pm.
Game 17 (Men)
#2W Tuskegee 50 vs. (Savannah State) 61
Box Score | Savannah State Post Game Interview | Tuskegee Post Game Interview
The final game of the men’s quarterfinal round of the 2022 SIAC Championship tournament, was a battle between Tuskegee and Savannah State. Tuskegee came into the game as the No. 2 seed in the west, but it was the underdog, Savannah State, who ultimately came out victorious. Savannah State started out strong, shooting 52 percent from the field in the first half, giving them a nine point lead. Tuskegee fought back in the second half and even took the lead for a moment. However, Savannah State’s guard, Marcus Scott, hit some difficult shots to help give the Tigers back the lead late. Scott finished with 18 points shooting 4-for-8 from the three-point line. In the final minutes of the game, it was the Tiger’s tenacious defense that sealed them the victory against Tuskegee. Savannah State will take on No. 1 seed in the East, Morehouse College, Friday night at 7 pm.
