Leon Douglas is not happy with referee's decision at end of game
Late Basket Downs Golden Bears
Box Score Miles held a four-point lead with less than a minute to go against Tuskegee and looked prime to collect its first back-to-back wins this season. But the Golden Tigers scored the last six points of the game, including a putback by Vladmir Tilme with 1.3 seconds remaining, to pull out a 63-61 win over the Golden Bears Saturday afternoon at Bill Harris Arena.
The loss soured head coach
Leon Douglas first game against the school he lead to the national championship tournament last season and the breakout performance of Tavin Cummings, who had 24 points and nine rebounds in his first game for the Golden Bears (2-16, 1-10 SIAC). Tilme, Kevin May, and Graham Olatunji each scored 14 points for the Golden Tigers (10-9, 7-5).
The game ended in a bit of controversy as well. After Tilme's putback, the officials had to put time back on the clock, which had unintentionally expired. During the time out, Tuskegee substituted a player that was not properly listed in the official scorebook. By rule, a technical foul should have been assessed and initially, it was. But after the officials conferred, it was deemed that the book was in error and Miles was left to go the length of the floor.
Patrick Jackson (eight points, two rebounds) was able to get a shot off but it hit the side of the backboard as time expired.
The game was tied at 25 at halftime but an 11-3 run to start the second half gave Tuskegee its biggest lead of the game. Miles would erase the deficit by the 12:47 mark on a basket by Jackson . Three minutes later, Cummings grabbed a miss by
Maiscei Grier and slammed it home with two hands to give the Golden Bears a 50-46 advantage.
The Golden Bears would lead by as many as five points and when Cummins scored with less than a minute remaining, Miles held a 61-57 lead. But the game unraveled from there. Baskets by May and Olatunji tied the game with 25 seconds left but Miles still had the ball with a chance to win. But a turnover sent Tuskegee the other way, where May's missed layup was followed by Tilme for the ultimate game-winner.
Larry Butler had 11 points and eight rebounds and
Maiscei Grier added 10 points for Miles, which hosts Spring Hill Monday at Knox-Windham Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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