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Savannah State University Athletics

1
Sarah Peacock
65
Savannah St. SSUWBB 14-1, 8-1 SIAC
74
Winner Benedict BCW 12-6, 7-2 SIAC
Savannah St. SSUWBB
14-1, 8-1 SIAC
65
Final
74
Benedict BCW
12-6, 7-2 SIAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Savannah St. SSUWBB 11 14 21 19 65
Benedict BCW 8 11 26 29 74

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

No. 22 Lady Tigers Record First Loss Of The Season

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Savannah State women's basketball opened the 2021-2022 season with the best start in program history. But every run comes to an end.
 
On Saturday, the Lady Tigers opened the biggest game of their schedule this year in full command as they faced the reigning Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) champions Benedict College on the road.
 
With 3:08 left in the first half, Nyla Allen sank a layup to lift Savannah State to a 23-11 lead. The Lady Tigers fierce offense was working just like it has in 14 consecutive wins, despite being out-rebounded by Benedict.
 
Through the final minutes, however, Benedict responded with their own offensive push cutting Savannah State's double-digit lead to 25-19 by the half. They parlayed that momentum into a game-changing third period.
 
Benedict dropped back-to-back three pointers to open a 6-2 run in the first few minutes of the period. But Le'Andrea Gillis fired back with her own three to keep the Lady Tigers out in front. With 2:12 to play in the third, Ta'Kyla Austin sank a layup to give Savannah State a seven-point advantage.
 
With 28 seconds ticking away, trailing by six, Benedict dropped another three-pointer and then a buzzer-beating jump shot, which stoked up the home crowd and cut Savannah State's lead to 46-45 into the final period.
 
The momentum shifted completely through the first half of the final period as Benedict opened a 10-2 run for a 62-53 lead with 2:45 to play. The Lady Tigers were unable to bounce back in the final minutes of play falling 65-74 to the reigning champs.
 
Gillis led the Lady Tigers with 17 points in the loss. Bria Gibbs—last week's SIAC Player of the Week—put in 14 for Savannah State. Benedict out-rebounded the Lady Tigers 51-40 and were led by Keondra Arichie who scored 26 points.
 
Savannah State is still ranked No. 1 in the SIAC East Division after the loss with their 8-1 conference record. Benedict sits in second place with a 7-2 conference record and improved to a 12-6 overall record.
 
The Lady Tigers are 14-1 on the season following the loss. The 14 wins to open the season are the best start for any team in program history. This week, the Lady Tigers also broke into the national rankings with the No. 22 spot in the WBCA Coaches Poll.
 
Savannah State sees a quick turnaround this weekend as they travel back to Columbia on Monday to face SIAC provisional team Allen University in a non-conference doubleheader with the men's team. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
 
The Lady Tigers return home on Saturday, Jan. 29 for a key SIAC East Division game against Albany State. Tip-off in Tiger Arena is set for 1 p.m.
 
 
 
TIGER BITES
  • The Lady Tigers set a new school record with their 12-0 opening. It's the best start to a season in program history since the 1992-1993 Lady Tigers opened 11-0 under coach Phillip Wallace who now coaches the Miles women's basketball team
  • Savannah State leads the SIAC in several statistical categories: Field-goal percentage, field-goal percentage defense; assists per game; scoring margin; scoring offense; steals per game; three-point field goal percentage.
  • The Lady Tigers have beat most of their opponents this year by double figures. Of their 15 games, they've won 9 by 10 or more points
  • Savannah State is the No 6 team in the South Region of the D2SIDA Media Poll and the No. 22 team in the WBCA Coaches Poll
  • Prior to coming to Savannah State in 2003, head coach Cedric Baker led Benedict College to EIAC (Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) Championships in 2001 and 2002. Benedict has since become an SIAC perennial powerhouse, winning the 2019-2020 SIAC Championship.
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