ATLANTA, GA | The Morehouse College Maroon Tigers played against Fort Valley State Wildcats on Saturday, January 25th, following their win against Howard University in the Martin Luther King Day Classic in Washington, D.C. During the first half of the game, the Maroon Tigers played from behind, failing to take the lead in this half, but continued to keep the game score close with their defensive efforts. Morehouse's offensive struggles continued in the second half, allowing Fort Valley to capitalize on those opportunities despite their inefficient offensive percentage. After this match-up, the Wildcats were able to score the game-winning bucket, 58-57.

FIRST HALF

Morehouse played a contested game against Fort Valley State, aiding in the decline of the Wildcat's offensive prowess, causing their first-half shooting percentage of 48.5% to decline in the second half  to a field goal percentage of 20.7%. Despite having offensive challenges in the first half, the Maroon Tigers finished the half with an 81.8% free throw percentage, with the Wildcats in the lead, 41-33.

SECOND HALF

In the last half of the game, the Maroon Tigers began to chip away at the lead. Both teams started competitively exchanging shots on both sides of the floor, resulting in Morehouse capitalizing on the offensive woes from Fort Valley taking their first lead, 49-48. With the game so close, there was still enough time left in the half, allowing Morehouse to extend their lead. Toward the end of the half, Sincere Key dunked over one of the Wildcats, entertaining the Morehouse fans and extending the lead, 56-53. The Maroon Tigers' Cedric Taylor III, later would be given a chance to capitalize on Fort Valley's foul trouble going to the line for two shots, making only one of his free throws, 57-56. Unfortunately, Morehouse would fall short of the win in the end after Fort Valley scored the game's final points, 58-57.

KEY CONTRIBUTORS

Morehouse's main contributors were Amahn Decker, who finished the game with 14 points, seven rebounds, and a free throw percentage of 100%. Jaden Gray contributed 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists, making 66.7% of his free throw shots. JerMontae Hill also had 9 points, two assists, and six rebounds. As a collective, the team offensively ended the game with a 29% field goal percentage, 20% three-point percentage, making 76.2% of their free throw percentage, and seven turnovers.

UP NEXT

The Maroon Tigers will go on to play against Albany State this upcoming Monday in Atlanta, Georgia, at Forbes Arena. Play begins at 7:00 PM. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.