February 8, 2011 – FORT VALLEY, GA – The Maroon Tigers blew an 11-point second-half lead and lost to the Fort Valley State Wildcats, 71-69, on a three-point prayer with seven seconds remaining.
Trailing by one point and with time running out on the shot clock and the game clock, Martavius Orr, threw up the winning shot that hit nothing but net. Prior to that shot, the 5'-4” Orr was 2-of-9 from the field. On the ensuing Morehouse possession, a #Jelani Figures# layup attempt was blocked out of bounds and a desperation shot by #Adam Callaway# fell short.
It was the sixth road loss for the Tigers who play seven of the next eight games away from home. Morehouse fell to 7-10 (7-8 SIAC) and split the season series with the Wildcats who lost 82-76, in Forbes Arena, February 1.
The Morehouse collapse began with 5:54 left in the game, just after a short jumper and a three-pointer by #Shawn Allen# put the Tigers up by 11 points. A series of fouls and turnovers over the following 4 minutes, gave the Wildcats hope and a 7-2 scoring advantage.
Morehouse had a season-high 28 turnovers and a season-low free-throw shooting percentage, hitting only 4-of-14 from the line.
One of the few bright spots for head coach
Grady Brewer was the continued emergence of newcomers, #Daniyal Faquir# and #Dana Kendrid#, who joined the team in January.
In the first half, Faquir hit 4-of-6 three-pointers, for 12 of his team-high 14 points. He led the Tigers in assists, with three.
Kendrid tallied 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
#Jelani Figures# played only in the second half and chipped in 11 points and three rebounds.
#Jonathan Tassin# hit 6-of-8 shots, for 13 points and hauled in six rebounds. Team scoring leader #Roderick Williams# matched Tassin's rebound total and added eight points, to go along with four blocks.
Two Wildcats scored in double figures, led by Brandon Davey, with 19 points. Fort Valley inched up to 7-15 (7-11 SIAC).
The Maroon Tigers travel to Albany State, to face the Golden Rams, Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., then return to Forbes Arena, Saturday, at 3 p.m., for a rematch with Clark Atlanta.
