February 9, 2016 – ATLANTA – Robert Askew poured in 21 points and Michael Scott added 18, as Morehouse extended its winning streak to seven straight games and cruised past Benedict, 78-56.

With a 68-65 win in Columbia, SC last week, it was the first time in more than 13 years that the Maroon Tigers have swept the season series against the Benedict Tigers who had knock them out of two recent SIAC tournaments.

The Maroon Tigers improved to 13-5; 9-4 and leap-frogged over Benedict into first place in the SIAC's East Division. Benedict 15-9; 10-5 dropped to second. 

Morehouse led from start to finish, jumping out to a 42-25 halftime lead and pouring it on from there.

Offensively, the Maroon Tigers nearly matched season-highs from the floor – 53 percent against West Georgia – and the free-throw line – 90 percent against Benedict last week, shooting 49 percent from the field and 81 percent from the line.

On defense, the Maroon Tigers forced 16 turnovers, blocked seven shots and held Benedict well below its 75 points-per-game scoring average.

Scott carried the scoring load in the first half, with 13 points. Askew picked it up in the second half, with 15. Scott, a senior guard, scored his points on five triples and 3 of 3 free throws.

Askew had a nearly perfect shooting day, sinking 8 of 9 from the field and 5 of 6 free throws. The senior center added eight rebounds, three assists a block and a steal.

Morehouse scoring leader Ayinde Russell broke his seven-game streak of double-figure scoring. The freshman guard, who has averaged 23 points-per-game, took only four shots, hitting a triple. He went 3 of 4 from the charity stripe and finished with six points.

Instead of scoring, Russell focused on distributing the ball. He led all players with six assists, to go with three rebounds.   

Michael Hall led all rebounders with 11 boards and chipped in seven points, four assists, two blocks and a steal. Miodrag Minic and Rasheed Shofidiya posted five points each.  

Brennan Reynard led Benedict in scoring, with 10 points. Lafonzo Smith added nine points and eight rebounds.

Morehouse travels down the block for a rematch with Clark Atlanta, Saturday, at 3 p.m. Morehouse won the last meeting, 69-67, on January 30.