TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Stillman College fell short on Homecoming, falling to Talladega College, 60-53, Saturday, Feb. 18 in Birthright Alumni Hall.
The Tigers and Tornadoes swapped the lead nine times in the first half until Talladega built a seven-point lead before
Khalil Johnson hit a deep 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 31-27 at halftime.
Less than five minutes into the second half, Johnson hit a 3 to regain the Tigers' lead, 37-35. It was the first of seven lead changes in the second half. Marcus Bates Jr gave the Tigers a 53-52 lead. Jordan Crumble and Javon Tatum scored five-straight for Talladega to put the Tornadoes back in front, 56-53. Dega closed the game 4-for-4 at the free throw line, while Sitllman missed three 3-pointers in the final minute.
Only six Tigers found the scoring column in the game. Johnson led Stillman with 16 points,
Jamar Jackson 13 points. Bates added eight points.
Derrick Finklea was held to four points and
Bailey Talley scored two. Finklea was the leading rebounder with six.
In a low possession game, Dega worked the shot clock down in most possessions. Tatum led Talladega with 22 points. Wilfred Campbell IV added 16, and Ethelbert Anum scored 11 and had six rebounds.
While Talladega opponents have averaged 17.6 free throw attempts per game, Stillman College did not attempt a single free throw attempt Saturday. It is the first game since at least 2011 (more than 350 games) that the Tigers have not attempted a single shot at the charity stripe.
Talladega was 13-of-16 at the free throw line in the game.
Stillman (15-13, 11-8 SSAC) will enter the Southern States Athletic Conference Championship Quarterfinals on Feb. 23 as the No. 5 seed. The Tigers will play No. 4 Dalton State at 10:45 a.m. Feb. 23.
