SAVANNAH, Ga. — On January 19, Savannah State University faced off against Allen University in a thrilling doubleheader at Tiger Arena.

The women’s game came down to a nail-biting finish. Savannah State’s Lady Tigers were in control, leading by seven points in the fourth quarter.

However, the team saw their advantage slip away in the final moments. With the score tied at 66 and less than 30 seconds on the clock, they fouled Allen, who converted both free throws to edge ahead, 68-66.

With just 23 seconds left, Savannah State had an opportunity to level the score or seize the lead. During their possession, an Allen foul gave them a chance to tie the game from the free-throw line with 3.7 seconds remaining.

Unfortunately, Savannah State missed both crucial free throws. A held ball was called immediately after the second miss, and the possession arrow favored Savannah State, leaving them with 2.1 seconds to make a final play.

Savannah State’s last chance attempt was no good. Allen hung on for a 68-66 victory. The Lady Tigers have now dropped seven straight ball games.

“One of the wings didn’t move in the right direction,” head coach Phillip Wallace said after the game. “That kind of broke us down a little bit. But the game should have never came down to that. You have to make free throws.”

On the men’s side, Savannah State had a much easier time. The Tigers scored the first seven points of the ball game.

They turned the game decidedly in their favor in the first half. With the game tied at 17 with 10:04 left in the first half, Savannah State went on a 22-3 run.

Savannah State went on to win, 74-60.

The men’s and women’s teams will look to pick up wins on Thursday when they host LeMoyne-Owen. The women’s game tips at 5:30 followed by the men’s game.