Men's Basketball 3/2/2023 11:24:00 PM

Tigers' Season Ends In Quarterfinals

SAVANNAH, Ga.– Savannah State men's basketball could not repeat the miraculous run they made in last year's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championship Tournament, falling in the quarterfinals of this year's tournament.

Following a double-round bye, Savannah State played their first game of the tournament on Thursday against a tournament-hardened Benedict (6E) team in a repeat of the 2023 SIAC Championship Tournament game.

The Tigers fell 68-78, leaving a repeat opportunity on their home court. They close the season 15-11 after earning the No. 2 seed in the SIAC East with a 13-8 conference record during the regular season.

"I thought we overachieved throughout the season," Head Coach Horace Broadnax said in a post-game press conference. "We overachieved in this game here, we just didn't come out with a lot of energy. We finished with a lot of energy. Probably could have pulled it out.

"I am very proud of this institution and these guys how they represented the athletic department. I am proud of this team. I am proud of this program. I am disappointed that we couldn't compete at the level we wanted to."

Head Coach Horace Broadnax during Savannah State's game against Benedict

Benedict opened the game with a massive run as they found room for every shot they took. On the other end, Savannah State was struggling offensively. By the 5:30 mark of the opening half, Benedict led 28-9. By halftime, they were up 39-22, putting the Tigers in a deep hole with some stellar shooting, hitting 48.4% of their shots from the field.

Savannah State's hit only 6-of-24 offerings from the field in the opening half.

At the 12 minute media timeout of the second half, SSU trailed 34-55. Eleik Bowles was 1-for-7 from the field and 3-for-4 from the free-throw line. The cold hand from the best SSU shooter, and SIAC All-Conference First Team player, was a difference maker.

But the Tigers weren't completely out of it.

Benedict's 20-point advantage held until around the seven minute mark when Broadnax shifted strategy.

Out of the seven minute media timeout, SSU brought in four fresh legs and a full press. On the next whistle, they brought in four subs, rotating a defensive lineup with an offensive lineup every whistle for several minutes to try and gain a late advantage. The hockey-style lineup shifts, began to work.

Za'Khari Cobb dropped a layup to spark an 8-1 run capped by three-pointers from Zion Davis and Bowles. With 6:01 to play, SSU trailed 57-64. But down the stretch, Savannah State could not get within six points of Benedict's lead as the Tigers from Columbia held on for the final 10-point win.

Benedict finished the game shooting 49% from the field. They were led by Tim Moore who scored 20 points. Bowles, after a dismal first half, got hot in the second and ended with 23 points—21 of them scored in the second 20 minutes. Ayjay Plain put up 15 while Andrew Okorodudu scored 11 in his final collegiate game.

Prior to the game, Coach Broadnax was awarded his trophy for being named the 2023 SIAC Coach of The Year. In the post-game press conference, he elaborated on what that meant to him.

"It's a team effort," Broadnax said. "It's a team award. I am grateful for the award. You can't be coach of the year without good players."

Andrew Okorodudu grabs a rebound against Benedict

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#11 Za'Khari Cobb: G; 6' 4"; Junior

#2 Ayjay Plain: G; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#24 Andrew Okorodudu: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#30 Eleik Bowles: F; 6' 4"; Senior

#10 Zion Davis: G; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#11 Za'Khari Cobb
: 6' 4"; Junior
: G

#2 Ayjay Plain
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: G

#24 Andrew Okorodudu
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#30 Eleik Bowles
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

#10 Zion Davis
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: G