ATLANTA, GA – #17 Morehouse College held off a late Winston-Salem State University surge in the second-half to defeat WSSU 66-61 in the 2018-19 season opener and the first game of the SIAC/CIAA Challenge on Friday evening at Forbes Arena in Atlanta, GA.
 
The Maroon Tigers improve to 1-0 on the season while the Rams fall to 0-2.
 
Morehouse used a strong first-half performance by senior Omar Alston (Waldorf, MD) who had eight points and 12 rebounds to help build a 34-20 halftime lead.
 
MHC came out of the locker rooms with the same effort that got them the halftime advantage as they took their largest lead of the game of 17 points at 44-27 with 15:06 remaining. Winston-Salem fought back getting within five points but it wasn't enough at the trapping Maroon Tiger defense forced some late turnovers to hold on for the victory.
 
The Maroon and white was led by Alston who finished with a double-double putting up 21 points and hauling down 13 rebounds. Junior Michael Olmert (Atlanta, GA) had a solid performance as he finished with 20 points, six assist and four rebounds in the win.
 
The Rams were led by Jamel McAllister who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds while William Crandell chipped in with 14 points.
 
The difference for Morehouse was their tenacious defense as they forced 22 WSSU turnovers which led to a 23-4 points-of-turnovers advantage off of the Rams miscues. Winston-Salem held the advantage on the boards 43-31.
 
The Maroon Tigers conclude the SIAC/CIAA Challenge tomorrow afternoon Nov. 17 as they play the Bears of Shaw University (3-0) at 4 p.m. in Forbes Arena.