January 11, 2014 – ATLANTA – What started out looking like a Morehouse blowout became a nail-biter and finally a 62-60 win by the LeMoyne-Owen College Magicians.

The Maroon Tigers jumped out to a 15-4 lead midway through the first half and appeared well in control. But the Magicians made the lead disappear, with a 20-7 run and forged their way to a 24-22 halftime lead.

Both teams played better in the second half, shooting 48 percent and exchanging leads, all the way to the final buzzer. The Magicians out-rebounded the Tigers 40-25, but Morehouse won the turnover battle 22-13 and converted that to a 31-14 points-off-turnovers advantage.

Morehouse was once again with the services of several key players who are wrestling with eligibility and injuries.

For the fourth game in a row, David Buchannon and Darrius Williams carried the scoring load for the Tigers.

Williams had a game-high 25 points, on 9 of 17 shooting from the field and 4 of 6 from the line. He added five rebounds, five assists and three steal.

Buchannon scored 14 points, to go with seven assists and three steals.

Joshua Simmons continued to turn in solid performances as his minutes increase. The senior, who missed all of last season, hauled in a team-high eight rebounds, to go with six points and two assists.

Austin Anderson chipped in seven points, two assists and two steals. Michael Scott added 6 points.

The Maroon Tigers dropped to 4-8 (1-3 SIAC).

LeMoyne-Owen was led by Marcel Hawkins, with 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds; Daequan Mitchell-Fields, with 19 points and four rebounds and Timothy Ware with 10 points and three assists. The Magicians improved to 3-6 (1-1 SIAC).

Morehouse returns to action Monday, at 7:30 p.m., when the Lane College Dragons visit Forbes Arena.