Box Score January 15, 2017 – SALISBURY, N.C. – Kivon Taylor tipped in a missed shot at the buzzer, to lift the Maroon Tigers to a 81-80 overtime win against the Livingstone College Blue Bears.
Taylor's tip-in was only his third basket of the game, but it was a big one. It followed a desperation three-pointer by Keyshaun Jacobs, who was came into the game because of his outside shooting ability. Taylor, who also plays quarterback on the Morehouse football team, finished with a game-high 12 rebounds.
The first half was a see-saw affair that featured a 21-point scoring swing. The Maroon Tigers jumped out to a 10-0 lead, but the Blue Bears bounced back with a 24-3 surge and a 24-13 advantage.
Morehouse muscled its way back late in the first half and took a 39-38 lead into the locker room. Most of the Morehouse first-half scoring came from Tyrius Walker and Ayinde Russell, who combined for 27 points.
The second half was much closer, with neither team leading by more than five points.
A different cast carried the Tigers, after intermission. Omar Alston scored 11 of his 13 total points, Martravious Little scored eight of his total of 14 and Jordan Wallace score all eight of his points in the second half. Also in the second stanza, Alston grabbed six of his game-high 10 rebounds.
The Bears struck first in overtime, on a quick basket by Jimmy Wilson, who finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Two free throws by Walker tied it up and the teams traded buckets for the next four minutes.
With 30 seconds remaining, Martravious Little made a steal and a layup, giving Morehouse a 79-78 lead. But another basket by Wilson gave the lead back to the Bears.
Morehouse coach Grady L. Brewer called a timeout, to set up the final play. Jacob's shot missed the mark, but Taylor was there for the putback and the Maroon Tigers notched another road win.
On a three-game win streak, Morehouse improved to 9-5. The Bears dropped to 5-10.
Walker, Morehouse's leading scorer, poured in 19 of his team-high 21 points in the first half. The junior guard from Atlanta, hit 6 of 10 shots from the floor, 9 of 9 shots from the free-throw line. He also hauled in seven rebounds and handed out three assists before fouling out for the first time this season.
Russell, last season's scoring leader, scored eight of his 13 points, in the first half, and finished with four rebounds and three steals.
Duby Maduegbunam chipped in six points and three rebounds, in 40-plus minutes of action.
Cameron Burhannon led the way for the Blue Bears, with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Morehouse heads south to Mobile, AL, Saturday, at 3 p.m. CST, to face the Spring Hill College Badgers.
