PULASKI, Tenn. - Talladega College sustained a test on the road with a 71-69 win at the University of Tennessee-Southern.
Talladega stormed out to a 25-9 lead in the first quarter and grew it to a 24-point lead, 33-9, early in the second quarter. The Tornadoes carried a 40-29 lead into the half.
UT-Southern opened the second half on a 12-2 run to make it a one-point game, 42-41, with 3:54 to play in the third quarter. The Firehawks locked the Tornadoes into a back-and-forth one-to-two-possession game. Talladega pushed back to a double-digit lead, 61-50, with 7:58 left in the game.
Amayla Sharif scored a jumper and free throw to push Talladega's lead to 14 points, 66-52. UTS rallied with a 12-1 run to pull within three, 67-64, after a Mary Mackie 3-pointer.
Je'Nya Wilder made 3-of-4 free throws and
Makayla Transou hit 1-of-2 in the final minute to secure the win and hold off the Firehawks' rally.
Transou led Talladega with 26 points and three assists, while also securing six rebounds. Wilder posted a double-double 20 points and 11 rebounds on 70% shooting (7-of-10). Brookylnn Tate also had 11 rebounds and three assists.
Takiyah Goff scored 19 points and dished out six assists. Mary Mackie had 14 points.
Talladega (2-0) will host Oakwood University for its home opener in Dr. Billy C. Hawkins Student Activity Center on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
