TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Four Tigers reached double figures, but it was not enough as the Stillman College men's basketball team's comeback fell short in an HBCU Athletic Conference loss to the Oakwood University Ambassadors 84-80 Thursday night in Birthright Alumni Hall. 

Micheal Taylor led the way with 20 points. Tyler Martin posted 15 points and four steals, Jeremiah Miller achieved a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Calvin Finch Jr. added 11 points and five rebounds. 

The Tigers (13-9, 11-4) entered the second half down 41-36. The first Stillman surge came with 9:49 on the clock after Taylor hit a three to cut the lead to 59-58. Taylor then hit a pair of free throws to give the Tigers the lead with 8:49 left. 

However, a layup from Jordan Bell on the other end gave the Ambassadors the lead at 61-60 with 8:24 to go and served as the final lead change of the contest. 

After a layup from Jaywill Thornton put Oakwood up 77-70 with 1:49 remaining, Stillman mounted one more comeback attempt starting with a layup and free throw from Taylor. Brenden Lankford-Johnson followed with a steal and a fast break layup to move the score to 77-75 with 1:19 to go. 

Oakwood up by five with 55 seconds left, but the Tigers again cut the lead to two points at 82-80 after free throws from Lankford-Johnson. Unfortunately, that was as close as Stillman got after a jumper by Damon Fann with eight seconds lifted the visiting Ambassadors to an upset 84-80 win. 

The Tigers finished 35.2 percent (25-of-71) from the floor, 25.8 percent (8-of-31) from three, and 81.5 percent from the free throw line. 

Bell led all scorers with 29 points and nine rebounds. Jarmus Alexander posted 18 points and nine rebounds, and Thornton posted 10 points and six rebounds. 

Stillman College returns to action Saturday for Homecoming against Arkansas Baptist College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Birthright.