TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The No. 3 Talladega College men's basketball team ended its GCAC Men's Basketball Tournament run tonight with a 64-43 loss to No. Philander Smith College. The Tornadoes fall to 22-4 on the season while Panthers move to 19-9. Both teams split the regular season series with Talladega taking the last game of the season at home 77-67 against the Panthers.

The Tornadoes took an early 4-1 lead but a Panther three tied the contest at 14:01 left in the half. Wilfred Campbell answered right back for Talladega as he laid on in to put his team back in front, 6-4. The Philander Smith offense was too strong for the Tornadoes as it used an 18-6 run to push its lead to, 22-12. Talladega was able to stop the run with a layup by Shaun Walker, but it wasn't enough as the Panthers used an 8-5 run to go into halftime with a 30-19 lead.

Philander Smith opened the second half up with a dunk in the first 17 seconds but Talladega replied when Javonni Bickham hit a jumper to trail by 11-points.  The Panthers after used a 9-4 run to take a 41-25 lead with 13:39 remaining. The Tornadoes attempted to chip away at the lead but it wasn't enough as the Panthers went on to a 64-43 win and move into the GCAC title game.

Bickham finished with 10 points while going 6-of-10 from the line and grabbing six rebounds. He finished a team-high three blocks.

Campbell paced Talladega with seven blocks while adding seven points of his own.

Talladega will await to see if they earn a bid to the 2024 NAIA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament.