MBB 2017-18

Tigers Win in Overtime; Extend Streak to 17

Box Score January 22, 2018 -- ATLANTA -- It took overtime and two career highs to stretch the unbeaten streak to 17 games. And when the smoke cleared, Morehouse had beaten the Benedict College Tigers, 103-102.

It was the second win, in three days, against a powerful SIAC East opponent for Morehouse, which today was voted the #1 team in the South Region. Morehouse beat Claflin (17-2; 10-1), Saturday, 86-75. 

After an early exchange of baskets that put Benedict up 11-10, the Maroon Tigers surged and never trailed again, until Benedict scored the first six points, in overtime. Morehouse led 37-34 at the half and by as many as 12 points in the second half. 

This was one of those knock-down-drag-out games that many of the 3,000-plus fans will remember for a long time. In fact, the fans were so engaged that they stormed the floor. The problem, however, was that the game was not yet over.  

Trailing 101-100, with :09 seconds left in overtime, Tyrius Walker drove the lane and made one of his several acrobatic layups. The basket gave the Maroon Tigers a one-point lead and Walker was fouled on the play. At that point, multiple fans rushed onto the court to congratulate the players and each other. But, again, the game was not over. Six seconds remained on the clock. As a result of the fans' action, Morehouse was charged with an administrative technical foul, for not controlling the fans. 

Benedict was awarded a one-shot technical free throw, which was made by Cairo Brown, tying the score at 102. However, there was still the foul against Walker. The team co-captain walked calmly to the free-throw line and hit nothing but net, giving Morehouse a one-point lead.  

Benedict drove the ball down the court, only to be tied up for a jump ball. The alternating possession arrow favored Benedict and the Tigers retained the ball, with .8 seconds remaining.

Benedict set up for what appeared to be a lob under the basket to Brandon Morris, last year's SIAC Player of the Year, but the pass was deflected by Omar Alston, as the clock struck zero. 

The Morehouse fans, who had lustily cheered the home team and jeered the visitors, legitimately stormed the court and the continued celebration of a 17-0 season was in full swing.    

Tyrius Walker scored all 11 of Morehouse's points in overtime and finished with 47 points, shattering his previous high of 35, which he achieved twice this year. He came within two points of the Morehouse single-game record of 49 points, set by Marvin Thomas, in 1960, against Fisk University. Walker sank 13 of 20 shots from the field and 18 of 22 free throws. 

Walker's effort was a sheer force of will, confirmed Morehouse head coach Grady L. Brewer.

"At every huddle, Tyrius kept telling me, 'Let's try this, Coach, let's try this, because we're not going to lose today, not today,'" Brewer said, after the game. "He kept saying, 'We're not going to lose,' and you see what happened." 

Martravious Little posted 25 points, exceeding his career high of 21 points, which he had reached twice this season. In addition to his career-high scoring, Little played shutdown defense, disrupting the Benedict offensive flow and collecting a game-high five steals. Most of Little's points came via off-balance jumpers and thunderous two-handed dunks. Little hit 10 of 15 shots and grabbed four rebounds.  

Little was key to the Morehouse defense, which forced 18 Benedict turnovers. The Maroon Tigers converted those miscues into 26 points off turnovers. Morehouse committed only nine turnovers. Seven of those in the second half.  

In addition to big scoring from the two senior leaders, Brewer got solid performances from the entire team, who fed off the raucous crowd and followed Walker's refuse-to-lose example. 

Besides his potentially game-saving deflection at the buzzer, Alston chipped in nine points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. James Walker only scored two points, but his game-high eight rebounds helped the Maroon Tigers to a 34-32 rebounding advantage. 

Duby Maduegbunam posted five points and five rebounds and Jordan Wallace contributed seven points. 

Five Benedict Tigers posted double figures, led my Cairo Brown, who scored 16 of his team-high 28 points in the second half. Brown hit all of his shots, in the second period, going 5 of 5 from the field, including 4 of 4 triples. Dimitri Cook, who hit 9 of 11 free throws, and Brandon Morris each posted 17 points. Tyler Whitehead added 15 points and Jelani Watson-Gayle added 10 points. 

Morehouse maintained an unblemished conference record at 12-0. Benedict slipped to 15-5; 8-4. 

The Maroon Tigers travel to Augusta, GA, Saturday, at 3:00 p.m., to face the Paine College Lions. In their last meeting, December 2, Morehouse beat Paine, 100-57, at Forbes Arena. 

SCHEDULE NOTE:
The Morehouse at Claflin game, in Orangeburg, SC, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, February 3, at 3 p.m., has been moved to Wednesday, January 31, at 8 p.m.  

 
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