COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Allen University men's basketball team fell 81-52 on Monday evening to West Division leader and 9th regionally ranked Tuskegee University in their first home game of the new year in Columbia.

Allen got off to a good start leading 11-5, 14-9, and 16-10 in the first half as they limited the powerful Golden Tigers to just 12 points over the first 10 minutes of action. However, TU would then find their rhythm and go on a 17-0 run to take a 27-16 lead with 7 minutes to play in the half. Allen would then get to within 8 points at the break trailing 34-26.

Tuskegee then used a barrage of three-pointers from Greg Boyd to extend their lead to 51-26 within the first five minutes of the second half to essentially put the game away. TU would go on to shoot 67 percent in the second half and 50 percent for the game as they outscored the Yellow Jackets 47-26 in the half. Allen struggled shooting from deep only going 4 of 19 from the three-point arc and just 47 percent from the free-throw line.

Allen was led by 11 points and 5 rebounds from junior guard Anthony Baker Jr. and 8 points from freshman shooting guard Mike Best. Sophomore guards Chase Cook and Shawn Jones Jr. also scored 8 and 7 points respectively with Cook also leading the team in assists with three and steals with three while grabbing five boards as well.

Junior forwards Tyriq McAdoo and Mohamed Alkadi also combined for 12 points as they each scored six apiece 

Allen falls to 1-10 overall and 1-5 in the SIAC while Tuskegee improves to 10-4 and 5-2 in conference. Allen will remain home to host Spring Hill College on Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm.