Box Score

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State went the final two minutes, 16 seconds without a field goal but the Tigers made 10 of 12 free throw attempts down the stretch to claim a 69-64 season-ending victory over fellow Independent school North Carolina Central in Tiger Arena.

The crowd of 1,487 saw SSU end their season with a 15-14 record, their first winning season since the 1985-86 season. That year, the Tigers under head coach Jimmy Westley posted a 17-8 record.

Savannah State trailed 36-35 at the half but started the second period with a 18-5 run to grab a 12 point lead with 10:50 remaining.

The Eagles sliced a 53-41 deficit to two but back-to-back layup by senior forward Chris Linton gave SSU a four point advantage with 2:16 on the clock.

Linton's layup would be the last field goal for the Tigers on the season.

After Central's Jamar Briscoe hit a free throw to cut SSU's lead to three, Linton and fellow senior Raye Bailey connected on two free throws each to expand SSU's lead to 63-56 with 1:31 left in the game.

Nick Chasten buried a 3-pointer and Briscoe made two more free throws to cut SSU's lead to 63-61 with 41 seconds left but Tracy Rankins and Bailey each hit two free throws to give the Tigers a six point cushion with eight seconds on the clock.

A three-point play the old fashion way by NCCU's Bryan Ayala made the score 67-64 with two seconds left.

Bailey ended the contest with two more free throws with one second left to give the Tigers the win.

Linton had a game-high 19 points and nine rebounds for SSU.

SSU shot 44.4 percent from the floor in the first half but dipped to make 7 of 26 shots in the second period. North Carolina Central shot 36 percent from the floor in both halves.