VALDOSTA, GA | In a contest that went back-and-forth all night, Morehouse defeated Valdosta State, on the road, 84-80, to secure their first victory of the season.
The Blazers would take the early lead, before Morehouse would overtake the Blazers (8-7), as the first media timeout approached.The game would continue to sea-saw until the Blazers would go on a 9-4 run, opening up a five-point lead, midway through the half. Morehouse would go on their own 6-0 run, over the next two minutes, to take a one-point lead. Once again, the teams would trade baskets, over the next six minutes, until Valdosta State would go on a mini-run to open up a quick six-point lead, with 00:25 remaining in the half.
Cedric Taylor, III would get a dunk on a fast break, followed by a VSU turnover, Taylor would then be fouled on a 3-point attempt with 0.7 remaining in the half. Taylor would sink all three free throws, to cut the deficit on a single point, heading into the intermission.
Missed shots and turnovers would be the early theme, coming out of the locker room, forcing a timeout with a 7-point deficit and 18:54 remaining in the game, by Coach
Douglas Whittler. After another basket by the Blazers, the Maroon Tigers would get their act together and cut the deficit to two points, led by
JerMontae Hill, who had a block, a dunk, and layup during the run. Valdosta State would make a mass substitution, and the new unit would open up a 11-point lead against the Maroon Tigers, with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game.
Brandon Peters and Taylor would lead the next Morehouse run, along with a steal and layup by
Matthew Coffey, as well as a huge 3-pointer by
Omar Rowe.The Blazers would take a timeout, with the Maroon Tigers now only trailing by one-point, to try to halt the run.
The strategy did not work. Coffey would complete the old-fashioned 3-point play, and after a Blazer miss, Rowe would sink a jumper to give the Maroon Tigers the lead with 5:50 remaining. Hill would sink two free throws and Rowe would knock one down from behind the arc to extend the lead. But just like every other time in this contest, the team that trailed, this time the Blazers, would go on a run to regain the lead. Valdosta State would go up two points, with two minutes remaining in the game. Coffey would get fouled, but make the basket. Coffey was unable to complete the three-point play, leaving the game tied. After a VSU free throw,
Josiah Lawson would get fouled as he made a layup, and subsequently, complete the three-point play, to give Morehouse a two-point lead. After a Blazer turnover, Hill would knock down a jumper, with 20.7 remaining, to give Morehouse a four-point lead, and seal the game for the Maroon Tigers.
ANALYSIS
- While most team statistical categories were even, Morehouse had a slight advantage in the paint, 52-44
- The two teams combined for 18 ties and 30 lead changes.
- Morehouse had a rebound advantage 46-33.
- Morehouse shot 50.8% from the field while holding Valdosta State to 39.2%.
LEADERS
The Maroon Tigers will be off for eight days, before making their home debut on Thursday, November 21, at 7PM, to complete the home-and-home against Valdosta State. The Maroon Tigers will then face Clayton State, at Forbes Arena, on Saturday, November 23. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers and the upcoming basketball season, follow them on social media or online at
www.morehouseathletics.com.
