February 18, 2013 – ATLANTA – In one of the longest and most exciting games in Morehouse basketball history, the Maroon Tigers pulled out a 108-99 triple overtime thriller against the Fort Valley State Wildcats.
There was no shortage of Morehouse heroes in the game that progressively became less about basketball and more about will power.
Morehouse never led until the first overtime period and, even then, only briefly. In the second overtime, Morehouse had to play catch-up again. Only a long-range buzzer beater kept the Tigers from matching the season's longest losing streak.
The win was a grind-it-out effort by a Tiger team determined not to drop three straight.
Whether making a clutch shot, a defensive stop or forcing a bad pass, nearly every Maroon Tiger contributed to the win.
Among the most notable performers-under-pressure were Shawn Allen and Malcolm Frank.
Allen hit two free throws with .2 seconds left in regulation, to tie the score at 80-all.
Fouled during a scramble for a missed layup by Jonathan Tassin, which would have tied the game, Allen strode confidently to the line. With the bravado he's known for, Allen smirked, fixed his gaze on the goal, bent his knees deeply and hit nothing but net -- twice.
Moments later, Malcolm Frank wore the hero hat, when he calmly sank a long three-pointer, to tie the score, as the horn sounded to end the second overtime.
Frank's jumper, over the outstretched hands of a defender who knew it was coming, hit nothing but nylon. It was his third triple of the day, but none was bigger or more decisive. He finished with 13 points and a second straight double-digit game.
In the third overtime, it was almost no contest, as the re-energized Tigers outscored the Wildcats 12-3. The Wildcats, who had come to avenge a 66-62 beating, in the Valley, January 31, began running out of energy and fouls. The Morehouse faithful stormed the court.
No less deserving of the hero stamp were Andrae Nelson and Darrius who battled like warriors for more than 51 minutes each.
Nelson had a game-high 19 rebounds and 20 points, but his contribution can't be measured in statistics alone. From winning the tip on each jump ball to sinking 14 of 19 pressure-packed free throws, the senior captain demonstrated stamina and leadership until the final buzzer.
A point shy of his second 30-point game of the season, Williams poured in 29 points, hitting 10-of-20 from the field and 9 of 14 from the line.
Williams' 15 boards helped the Tigers post a 56-45 rebounding advantage and secured his seventh double-double of the season. He also collected a team-high six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Austin Anderson and Jonathan Tassin contributed eight points apiece.
Phillip Walker, a rarely used transfer from Ursinus College, turned in a quality 15 minutes, with eight points and two rebounds, all in the second half.
Brandon Davey's 26 points led the way for the Wildcats who fell to 7-16 (4-12 SIAC). Three other Wildcats – Nigel Domineck (18 pts.), Joshuah Davis (16 pts.) and Desmond Lofland (13 pts.) – reached double figures.
Morehouse (16-7; 14-2) will travel south to Albany, GA, Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., to take on the Albany State Golden Rams (6-16; 5-11). The Tigers beat the Rams 75-70, on February 4.
The Tigers return home Saturday, at 3:30 p.m. for the final game of the regular season and Senior Day, when they will again do battle with the Clark Atlanta Panthers.
Morehouse and Spelman students, faculty and staff are admitted free. The general admission, for all others, is $15.
