Savannah, Georgia-Both the Savannah State women's and men's basketball teams are set to hit the hardwood again as they will face USC Beaufort in the 2nd Annual Savannah River Rivalry, hosted by the Mike Hostilo Law Firm. The doubleheader action will take place on Tuesday, November 26th at EnMarket Arena. The women's contest will begin at 5:30pm, while the men's action gets started at 7:30pm.

GAME INFORMATION:
Women's Game: Savannah State (2-2) vs. USC Beaufort (0-3)
Tuesday, November 26th | 5:30pm
EnMarket Arena | Savannah, Georgia
Live Stream: https://pbcsportsnetwork.com/uscb/
Live Stats: https://ssuathletics.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary

Men's Game: Savannah State (1-2) vs. USC Beaufort (6-0)
Tuesday, November 26th | 7:30pm
EnMarket Arena | Savannah, Georgia
Live Stream: https://pbcsportsnetwork.com/uscb/
Live Stats: https://ssuathletics.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary

TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for the doubleheader are on sale now at the EnMarket Arena Box Office, or online through TicketMaster at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/2024-savannah-river-rivalry-savannah-georgia-11-26-2024/event/0E00614AD7497FBA?CAMEFROM=CFC_SAVANNAH_CIVIC_CENTER_WEB_WEBSITE_EA

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the second ever meeting between the two teams on the basketball floor with Savannah State winning both contests in their inaugural meeting last season. The Lady Tigers took home an 81-53 win over the Sand Sharks, while the Tiger Men secured the doubleheader sweep with an 80-69 victory.

WOMEN'S PREVIEW
PREVIEWING SAVANNAH STATE
The Lady Tigers came out on the short end of the stick in their last action on Saturday afternoon, falling 73-54 to Georgia Southwestern State on the road. A key 12-2 surge for the Hurricanes in the second quarter proved to be the undoing for Savannah State in the contest. Amani Hamilton led the way for SSU with 15 points, while K'Iya Hankerson also finished with 15 for the Lady Tigers. 

Through the first four games of the season, Savannah State ranks third in the SIAC in scoring at 76.0 points per game, while they rank fifth in defensive points per contest, conceding 58.0 ppg to their opponents. The Lady Tigers lead the league in three point percentage, connecting on 41.3% of shots from beyond the arc, while placing 13th in rebounding at 31.8 boards per game.

Mya Byrd is SSU's leading scorer, averaging 14.8 points per game, good enough for fifth in the SIAC, and is also third in the conference in three-point shooting, hitting 47.6% of her shots. K'Iya Hankerson is the conference's leader in field goal percentage, hitting 60.6% of her shots from the floor, while also placing in the top 20 in rebounding, averaging 6.3 boards per game.

PREVIEWING USC BEAUFORT
The Sand Sharks are still attempting to find their footing in their second full season of competition as a new program. USC Beaufort currently sits at 0-3 on the young 2024-25 season, including a 63-56 home loss to SIAC foe Edward Waters last Saturday afternoon.

USCB is averaging 53.7 points per game, while giving up 68.0 ppg to opponents this season. Junior Division I transfer forward Lydia Gattozzi is the Sand Sharks' leader in scoring, averaging 11.3 points per game, followed by Senior guard Brielle Bartelt at 10.7 points per game. On the boards, senior forward Shaniya Rose leads USCB with 4.3 rebounds per contest.

MEN'S PREVIEW
PREVIEWING SAVANNAH STATE
On the men's side, Savannah State is riding high off of capturing their first victory of the season on November 16th, with a 78-73 road win over Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach. SSU chopped a double-digit deficit down halfway through the second half, en route to the five point victory.

As a team so far this season, Savannah State is third in the SIAC in scoring, averaging 78.7 points per game, while they are 12th in the conference in defense at 83.3 ppg. Beyond the arc, SSU is fifth in the SIAC, hitting 33.9% of shots from the bonus sphere, and are in the middle of the pack in rebounding, averaging 36.3 rebounds per game.

On the season, senior guard Ayjay Plain leads the way for SSU with 21.0 ppg, while Jeremiah Barze and Qua King each are averaging 13.7 ppg. Newcomer Jerry Maxinaud is the Tigers' leading rebounder averaging 8.7 rebounds per contest.

PREVIEWING USC BEAUFORT
The Sand Sharks enter Tuesday night's matchup with an unblemished 6-0 record on the season. In their last contest USCB knocked off Edward Waters 89-72 in a home matchup on Saturday evening. 

USC Beaufort currently leads the Peach Belt Conference in scoring, averaging 99.8 points per game and is 10th in the league in defense at 88.3 ppg. 

Junior guard Kevaughn Price is USCB's leader in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per contest, while also hitting 53% of his shots from the floor. Senior guard Kenney Gaines is not too far behind, averaging 13.3 points per game, and graduate FAU transfer Alejandro Ralat is third on the team at 12.2 points per game. 

Stay Connected
For complete coverage of Savannah State University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @SavStateTigers on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly Known As Twitter), or visit the official online home of SSU Athletics at http://ssuathletics.com.