The Savannah State women’s basketball team, led by three newcomers, bounced back from a 10-point deficient to come within two points of the win in an exhibition game at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada Tuesday evening. The Lady Tigers fell in the last seconds 76-74 to the Toronto Vintage Club Team.

The Lady Tigers were without their point guard and last year’s point’s leader, Ezinne Kalu, who was sidelined due to injury, but relied on some new heavy hitters as well as some returners in the late rally.

Leading the points scoring across the board, with 24, was Savannah State newcomer and University of Alabama transfer Erin Hogue. Following Hogue for the Lady Tigers was returner Blessing Uba and freshman Jerryshia Williams with 12 each. Also in double figures was Jefferson Community College transfer Andrietta Thomas.

The Toronto Vintage came out shooting as former Michigan State University forward, Alisa Wulff dropped a trey in the opening minute. Wulff and teammate Stephany Skrba, a University of Michigan product, both led the Vintage with 18 points apiece in the game.

Toronto exploded in the first half behind 14 points from Wulff and Skrba each, for a 46-39 lead at the half.  The Lady Tigers offensive was steady in the opening half, but they struggled on defense.

The Vintage kept the offensive push into the second half, going up 51-41 at the 16:51 mark. The Lady Tigers turned on the defense, forcing turnovers and creating fast break chances, sparking off an 11-1 run that culminated with a jumper from Thomas to tie the game up at 52 with 13:17 remaining.

The defensive spark held Skrba and Wulff to only four points apiece and helped the Lady Tigers to stay within six points the rest of the match. With 10:10 on the clock, Hogue sank a layup to put Savannah State within in one point of Toronto’s lead, 57-56.

With 2:05 left, Thomas hit a free throw to make it 75-74 Toronto. The one-point Vintage lead held in the last minute as the Lady Tigers missed several shots for the win. With 2 seconds on the clock, Toronto sank two free-throws for the final score.

Savannah State continues the preseason exhibition series with a game against Toronto Team X, Wednesday, August 8 at 7 p.m.