PALM BEACH, FL | The Maroon Tigers opened the 2024-25 basketball season on the road, in the SIAC/Sunchine Conference Challenge at Rubin Arena.  The host school was Palm Beach Atlantic.  Despite extraordinary effort by the Maroon Tigers, they return to Atlanta with an 0-2 record.  

FRIDAY - EMERY-RIDDLE 86 MOREHOUSE 72

Morehouse would jump out to an early lead against the Eagle, owning a six-point lead heading into the first media timeout, and a seven point lead entering the second media timeout.  The Maroon Tigers 1st half lead would grow to as many as ten points, with 8:30 remaining in the half.  Emery-Riddle would go on a 13-0 run, following the final media timeout of the half, to pass the Maroon Tigers and give Morehouse a nine point deficit to end the half.

Opening the 2nd half, Morehouse would quickly cut the deficit to five points, before the Eagle responded and grew their lead up to ten points.  After under-16 media timeout, the Eagles lead would ballon to as many as 17 points.  The Maroon Tigers would never trail by single digits for the remander of the game.

ANALYSIS

• Morehouse took advantage of Embry-Riddle turnovers, converting 11 Eagle turnovers to 17 points.
• The Maroon Tigers led in fast break points, 12 to 9.
• While the Maroon Tigers shot well from the field (46.7%), they struggled from behind the arc (25.0%) and left room for improvement at the charity stripe (65.0%).

LEADERS

• Points:  JerMontae Hill (24), Jaden Gray (10)
• Rebounds:  Amahn Decker (5), Jaden Gray (5)
• Assists:  Amahn Decker (3)
• Steals:  JerMontae Hill (2)

SATURDAY - PALM BEACH ATLANTIC 77 MOREHOUSE 67

This game would go back-and-forth, with neither team have a lead larger than two possessions until the mid-point of the 1st half.  The Sailfish would slowly open up a larger lead, increasing to as large as ten points, before the Maroon Tigers would cut the lead to four points, with just under two-minutes remaining in the half.  Morehouse would trail 39-35 at the intermission.

The Maroon Tigers would score the opening bucket of the 2nd half, before allowing the Sailfish to go on a 12-4 run, leading the Maroon Tigers with a ten point deficit with 15 minutes remaining in the contest.  The Sailfish would increase their lead to as large as 15 points, before Morehouse would go on a 16-4 run, over the next six minutes, to cut the deficit to three points.  Palm Beach Atlantic would increase their lead to six points with two minutes remaining.  With the Maroon Tigers being forced to foul, the Sailfish would hit their free throws down the stretch, leaving Morehouse with a ten point defeat.

ANALYSIS

• Morehouse continued to take advantage of opponents mistakes, scoring 23 points off 19 Sailfish turnovers.
• Morehouse was out-rebounded 40-28.
• Morehouse looks to improve shooting overall, the Maroon Tigers shot 40.0% from the field, 30.0 % from the arc, and 56.3% from the free throw line.

LEADERS

• Points:  Cedric Taylor (17), JerMontae Hill (11) Amahn Decker (13)
• Rebounds:  Cedric Taylor (6) JerMontae Hill (6), Amahn Decker (6)
• Assists:  JerMontae Hill (2), Chimezie Okeke (2)
• Steals:  JerMontae Hill (4), Jaden Gray (2), Chimezie Okeke (2)

The Maroon Tigers will be back in action Tuesday, November 12, as they travel down I-75 South to face Valdosta State in a home-and-home.  The action is scheduled to begin at 8PM.  For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.