Voorhees Closes Strong to Edge Stillman 68-65 on the Road

Voorhees University used a series of late-game plays and clutch free throws to earn a 68-65 road win over Stillman on Thursday night at Birthright Alumni Hall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Trailing at halftime and down much of the night, the Tigers surged ahead on a highlight-reel dunk from Kayden Diggs and a fast-break layup by Gary Davis Jr., then sealed the victory when guard Xavier Finney knocked down two free throws with two seconds remaining.

Voorhees, playing as the visiting Tigers, trailed 40-36 at the break after Stillman’s offense controlled most of the first half. Stillman built that edge behind 19 points from Dasean Sellers and 17 from Josh Price, who hit two free throws in the closing seconds of the half to maintain the four-point advantage. Stillman also leaned on a strong effort on the glass, finishing with a 40-35 rebounding edge, including 18 offensive rebounds that produced multiple second-chance opportunities.

The momentum began to turn in the second half as Voorhees tightened defensively and became more efficient offensively. The Tigers held Stillman to just 25 points after halftime and forced the hosts into a 37.7% shooting night from the field and 18.2% from 3-point range. That defensive effort, combined with timely scoring, allowed Voorhees to slowly erase the deficit and eventually overtake Stillman in the final minutes.

One of the game’s pivotal moments came with 3:46 to play, when Diggs threw down a dunk to give Voorhees a 63-62 lead, its first advantage in the closing stretch. Less than a minute later, Davis Jr. converted a fast-break layup at the 2:38 mark to push the lead to 65-62, capping a key late run. Stillman continued to battle and kept the margin within a single possession, but Voorhees’ half-court defense and rebounding down the stretch limited clean looks for the home team.

Offensively, Voorhees was led by an efficient performance from Rydarius Hill, who scored a game-high-tying 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the field and 5-for-7 at the free-throw line in just 20 minutes. Finney added 12 points and four rebounds, going a perfect 5-for-5 at the line, including the decisive pair with two seconds on the clock that extended the lead to 68-65. Diggs provided a physical presence inside with eight rebounds and three blocks to go with his key late dunk, anchoring the Tigers’ interior defense.

As a team, Voorhees shot 51.0% from the field (26 of 51), overcoming a 27.3% night from 3-point range by attacking the paint and drawing contact. The Tigers finished 13 of 25 at the line and collected 10 offensive rebounds to generate extra possessions. Defensively, Voorhees recorded six steals and four blocks while forcing 13 Stillman turnovers, helping offset Stillman’s edge on the boards and higher free-throw volume.

The road victory in front of 325 fans at Birthright Alumni Hall showcased Voorhees’ ability to respond under pressure and execute in late-game situations. With Hill’s scoring, Finney’s composure at the stripe and Diggs’ rim protection and energy plays, the Tigers produced a balanced effort that can build confidence as the schedule moves deeper into conference play.