January 22, 2011 -- ATLANTA -- The Maroon Tigers nearly clawed their way back from a 15-point second-half deficit, but a three-pointer that would have sent the game into overtime rimmed out at the buzzer and Morehouse lost a nail-biter, 80-77, to the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers.
Playing in their third game in five days, Morehouse never led against the defending SIAC champions, who jumped out to an 11-1 advantage. The Maroon Tigers closed the gap to one point, midway through the first period, only to have the Golden Tigers surge ahead for a 40-29 halftime lead.
Morehouse chipped away at the lead, on the strength of strong second-half scoring by Jelani Figures,
Jonathan Tassin and Roderick Williams. The big three combined for 33 of the team's 48 second half points, to fuel the comeback. It was Tassin's hotly-contested jumper from the corner that almost sent the game into overtime.
Figures had his best game of the season. The senior from Mobile, AL was all over the court, hitting shots, pulling down rebounds and providing the positive energy befitting a team leader and All-SIAC performer. His stat line reflected his output – 8-of-12 shots, for 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and a block.
Williams was perfect from the floor. The team captain connected on all eight of his shots and one free throw, for 17 points, to go with five rebounds.
Tassin tallied10 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block.
Three newcomers to the ever-changing Morehouse lineup made their presence felt, when their numbers were called.
In his third game back, Shawn Allen chipped in eight points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. Malcolm Frank, who like Allen played last year but left to focus on academics, added seven points and two rebounds. And Darrius Williams, a starting defensive back on the Morehouse football team, showed off his hard-court prowess, with four points and a steal.
Three Golden Tigers reached double figures, to help Tuskegee move to 7-5 (7-3 SIAC). Calvin Thomas, with 20 points, Aaron Ragsdale, with 19, and Jeremy Williams did most of the big scoring for Tuskegee, which lost to Clark Atlanta, in overtime, Thursday.
Morehouse will take on Lemoyne-Owen, Sunday, at 4 p.m., at Forbes Arena. The game was originally scheduled for January 10, but was postponed because of the snow storm that crippled Atlanta for nearly a week.
