Box Score February 22, 2018 – ATLANTA – In case there was any doubt about who is the best team in the Atlanta University Center and the SIAC, the question was settled on the court, with a 72-67 Morehouse win over the Clark Atlanta Panthers.
Morehouse ended one of the best regular seasons in school history and swept their cross-campus rivals, in front of a standing-room-only crowd of well over 6,000 fans.
The win was all the more special for the three Morehouse seniors who were presented with their framed jerseys at halftime. Accompanied by their families, Martravious Little, Tyrius Walker and Jordan Wallace enjoyed the sustained applause of their faithful fans.
Little, who injured his knee in the last game against the Panthers, was nattily attired in a suit and tie and unable to play.
The Maroon Tigers, the #1 team in the NCAA South Region, improved to 24-1; 18-1, in the second game in two weeks between two nationally-ranked teams. Clark Atlanta, the #4 team in the South Region, slipped to 22-4; 16-3.
In the last meeting, February 8, Morehouse won, 97-96, in triple overtime, at the home of the Panthers.
Except for a brief exchange of leads midway through the first half, Morehouse led all the way. Five consecutive three-pointers helped the Maroon Tigers to an 18-7 run and a 40-34 lead at the half.
James Walker scored all 12 of his points in the first half, hitting 4 of 5 threes. Keyshaun Jacobs hit his two treys, during the decisive Morehouse run.
It was more of the same in the second half, as Morehouse built the lead to 61-44, mostly on the strength of Tyrius Walker, who took over the game with his outside shooting and acrobatic drives to the basket.
Walker, the SIAC's leading scorer, poured in 21 of his 27 points in the second half. His most important points came down the stretch when he hit 4 of 4 free throws in the final 15 seconds.
The free throws became critical, because the Panthers had gone on a 19-4 run, to close the gap to 65-63. Senior Jordan Wallace, who finished with eight points and three rebounds, also hit a free throw in the final seconds.
Walker added to his game-high 27 points, with a game-high 10 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a blocked shot.
Omar Alston pulled down seven rebounds and helped Morehouse secure a 43-36 rebounding advantage.
Three Panthers posted double figures. Jalen Mitchell scored 16 points. Damien Davis put up 14 and Shelvick Henry added 10.
Morehouse will be the #1E seed in the upcoming SIAC basketball tournament, in Birmingham, AL. The men's and women's tournament will be held, February 26 to March 3, in the Bill Harris Arena, at the Birmingham Crossplex.
For information, scores and updates on the SIAC tournament, visit www.thesiac.com.
