January 9, 2016 – WILBERFORCE, OH – An 18-11 overtime scoring advantage spoiled an outstanding game by freshman Ayinde Russell, as Morehouse lost a second consecutive road game, 88-81, to the Central State Marauders.

Russell hit 10 of 20 shots, including 5 of 12 three-pointers, to post a career-high 27 points. The freshman from Atlanta came off the bench, played a team-high 38 minutes and added a game-high six assists, before fouling out, with 17 seconds left in the overtime period.

The loss dropped Morehouse to 6-5; 2-4, Central State improved to 4-6; 4-3.

Central State led most of the game and by 12 points early in the second period. The Maroon Tigers clawed their way back on the strength of three-point shooting late in the game. Russell hit a couple, Javarius Gay hit his two attempts and Michael Scott made all three of his in the second half. A Scott three-pointer, with 15 second remaining in regulation, tied the score at 70-all and sent the game into overtime.  

As in Thursday's 91-87 loss to Kentucky State, this game came down to free throws. Morehouse made 9 of 16 from the line. CSU made 28 of 44 free throws, including 12 of 17 in overtime.    

Coach Grady Brewer missed a second straight game, because of an undisclosed illness and remains listed as day-to-day. Assistant coach Douglas Whittler led the team.

Also absent from the Morehouse lineup was Tyrius Walker, the team leading scorer and last year's SIAC Freshman of the Year, and freshman Omar Alston. Both are awaiting academic eligibility decisions.

Another freshman, Anthony Farrar, was the only other Maroon Tiger to score in double figures. Farrar played only 15 minutes and scored 10 points, to go with three assists, three rebounds and two steals.  

Forward Tyrone Brown and guard Michael Scott just missed double figures, with each chipping in nine points. Brown contributed seven rebounds.

After three straight double-doubles, center Robert Askew has a slight drop-off, with seven points and a team-high 9 rebounds.

Morehouse, which started the season at 4-0, has lost the last 5 of 7 and will remain on the road to face the Fort Valley State Wildcats, Thursday, at 7:30 p.m.

On January 6, the Maroon Tigers will travel to Chicago and play the Stillman Tigers, in an HBCU tournament that will also feature a game between the Clark Atlanta Panthers and the Albany State Golden Rams.