CEDAR PARK, Texas – A mid-second half scoring run by Huston-Tillotson University proved to be costly for the Talladega College men's basketball team as the Tornadoes dropped the first contest, 62-57, of the AAUL HBCU Basketball Invitational Saturday night at the HEB Center.
The game featured eight lead changes and two ties as the teams battled for supremacy.

A made free throw from Jimmy Bean at the 13:16 mark put the Tornadoes up seven points, 41-34. However, the Rams responded with a 28-16 run the rest of the game to snatch the victory in the hotly contested matchup.

Ethelbert Anum led the Tornadoes with 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Jordan Crumbley also reached double figures with 11 points along with three rebounds.

As a team, Dega shot 40 percent (20-of-50) from the floor, 35.7 percent (5-of-14) from three, and 60 percent (12-of-20) at the free throw line.
Talladega dominated on the boards and out-rebounded HTU, 34-21. In fact, two areas can be pointed to identify how the game got away from the Tornadoes which are points in the paint and free throws.

The Rams won in the paint, 28-18, and connected on 21 total free throws throughout the game with 19 of those made shots from the line coming in the second half.

HTU shot 43.2 percent (19-of-44) in the game, 23.1 percent (3-of-13) behind the arc, and 70 percent (21-of-30) at the line.

Charles Hallmon led all scorers with 20 points, Faite Williams scored 14, and Jimmie Kelly added 11 points and five rebounds.

The Tornadoes will enjoy Thanksgiving festivities off and on the court as Dega will face Wiley College tomorrow in the second day of the AAUL HBCU Basketball Invitational. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. with live stats being available on talladegatornadoes.com.