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Tigers defeat Commandos; Conference Champs

  • Published
  • By Courtesy Tyndall Tigers
  • 325th Fighter Wing
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Tyndall Tigers men's varsity basketball team took a come-from-behind 86-85 victory over Hurlburt Field and secured the regular season conference title in the Southeastern Military Athletic Conference action Saturday. 

The Tigers started quickly as they opened up an early eight-point lead in the opening half behind guard Melvin Smith's 12 first-half points. Hurlburt went on a run and took a two-point lead, 43-41, at the half.

In the second half, the lead swung back and forth as the two squads took turns leading by as many as 8 points. With two minutes and ten seconds remaining in the game, Hurlburt led 80-75, with the outright conference title on the line. The Tigers battled within 2 points, 85-83, on Antonio Bazemore's three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining. Tigers forward Marqus Armour was fouled with 13 seconds remaining. He calmly sank the first free throw, but missed on his second attempt to make the score 85-84 in favor of the Commandos. After a missed free throw and a free-throw violation by Hurlburt; Tyndall took possession of the basketball with 8.3 seconds left on the clock. The Tigers pushed the ball down the court and found Antonio Bazemore open on the left baseline. Bazemore's attempted game winning reverse lay-up rolled off the rim, but Tigers guard Marcelle Mosley was there to tip in the offensive rebound as the buzzer sounded. 

Melvin Smith led the Tigers in scoring with 22 points, followed by Marqus Armour's 18, Antonio Bazemore 14, and Marcelle Mosley and Jared Austin with 10 points each. Bazemore and Armour led in rebounding with 12 and 11 respectively. Smith also led in assists with six and Rasheem Ramsey had three steals. DeAngelo Gilliam led the Commandos in scoring with a game-high 26 points. 

Tyndall, #1 seed, will travel to Hurlburt Field again this weekend as they will compete in the SEMAC Men's Post Season Basketball Tournament; Tyndall will play the winner of the Naval Station Mayport versus Keesler game. The championship game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Monday.