SAVANNAH, Ga.- After starting the season with four road games, Savannah State returned to Tiger Arena on Thursday night to face Central State in their home opener.

The Tigers did not disappoint the home crowd, holding on for a 71-65 win. The victory extends Savannah State's home winning streak to eight, dating back to last season.

Before the game tipped over, SSU unveiled their new banner for winning the 2025 SIAC Tournament Championship.

Savannah State entered the game with a 0-4 record and for a while it looked as if the losing skid would continue.

The Tigers got off to a slow start with CSU opening up a 25-7 lead with 8:16 left before intermission.

A eight point swing by SSU which featured a layup by Kelvin Cochran, a layup and a free throw by Michael Swift and a 3-pointer by Zion Davis got the Tigers within 25-15 with 6:21 on the clock but the Marauders responded with a spurt that gave them a 34-17 advantage with 3:38 left in the half.

Savannah State finished the half outscoring CSU 10-6 but trailed 40-27 at the break.

After a stern halftime speak by head coach Clevan Thompson, the Tigers came out in the second half with new energy, using a 18-4 run to take a 45-44 lead with 12:45 left in the game.

During the run, six different players scored with James Leach, Javonte Landy and Braylon Jackson all scoring four points and Chancellor Wilson, Zion Davis and Zyere Edwards all chipping in two points apiece.

The Tigers were able to build a seven point lead but Central State battled back to tie the game at 53 with 7:37 remaining.

Central State went back in front 61-60 with 2:26 left but a layup by Jackson and a 3-pointer by Davis put the Tigers back in the lead 65-61.

A 3-pointer got the Wilberforce, Ohio based institution within 67-65 with 14 seconds remaining but Savannah State closed the contest with two free throws apiece from Swift and Edwards.

The win gives SSU a 1-4 overall and 1-2 SIAC record.

Savannah State had a 33-31 rebounding edge. The Marauders made 32 turnovers which resulted in 29 points for SSU. The Tigers had 13 second chance points, 29 bench points, 38 points in the paint and 10 fast break points.

In a game that had three ties and nine lead changes, Landy finished with 16 points, five steals and four rebounds while Davis and Jackson scored ten points each.

Savannah State will welcome Kentucky State to Tiger Arena on December 6 at 4 p.m.

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