MBB 2017-18

Tigers Down Wildcats Advance to SIAC Semifinals

Box Score February 28, 2018 -- Birmingham, AL -- Keyshaun Jacobs and Jordan Wallace combined for 36 points off the bench and helped Morehouse to an 82-75 win over the Fort Valley State Wildcats and a spot in the SIAC semifinals.

On Friday, at 3:15 p.m., #1E Morehouse will play the winner of the Lane-Claflin game, which will be played Thursday, at 3:15 p.m. 

With the win, Morehouse improved to 25-1. The Maroon Tigers remained the #1 team in the NCAA South Region and moved up to #6 nationally, in the NABC Top 25 poll. 

Wallace scored 18 of his game-high 23 points in the second half, where he hit 7 of 11 shots. When the Wildcats tried to close in on Wallace, he became a passer, collecting three assists and a rebound.

"We knew they were going to be double-teaming Tyrius (Walker), so we knew we had to step up," Wallace said in a post-game interview. "We were just doing our jobs."

Jacobs scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half. Morehouse, which led by as many as 13 points, midway through the first half, let the lead slip to 30-27 at halftime. In the second half, Morehouse again built a double-digit lead, only to let it slip away, but the Wildcats never got closer than two points. 

Despite being double-teamed for nearly the entire game, Tyrius Walker hit 5 of 11 shots and finished with 14 points, to go with four rebounds. Prior to the game, Walker, the SIAC Player of the Year, was named SIAC Player of the Week, for his superb play, last week, in wins over Fort Valley and Clark Atlanta. It was the fourth time this season that Walker has received the award. 

Omar Alston, playing a team-high 29 minutes, collected his ninth double-double of the season. Alston hauled in a game-high 14 rebounds, adding to Morehouse's 40-28 rebounding advantage. Alston added to his stat line, with 10 points, two assists, two steals and a block. 

The win clearly demonstrated two of Morehouse's season-long strengths -- depth and balance. Following the loss of Martravious Little, who suffered a season-ending knee injury, the Tigers have employed the "Next Man Up" philosophy. Like the bench play, newly-minted starters Tony Evans and Tremell Gooden have filled whatever roles they've been called on for. Evans chipped in six points, three assists and two rebounds. Gooden added four points, four rebounds and two assists. 

Michael Olmert and James Walker also contributed off the bench. Olmert had six points, three rebounds and two assists. James Walker chipped in four points, five rebounds and two assists. 

Depth was a key factor that allowed Coach Grady Brewer to employ a full-court press and keep his players fresh and out of foul trouble. 
 
Four Wildcats posted double figures, led by Tyler Edwards and Walter Foster, with 20 points each. #5 E Fort Valley exited the single-elimination tournament, at 13-16. 

Morehouse's game on Friday will be web-streamed, via the Maroon Tiger Sports Network.  



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