NASHVILLE, TN | Morehouse's season opener came down to the final minutes on Saturday night in Nashville, where the Maroon Tigers battled toe-to-toe with Embry-Riddle (FL) before falling 73–67 in a neutral-site matchup at Trojan Fieldhouse. A fast start, a dominant effort in the paint, and a breakout performance from Sincere Moore kept Morehouse in contention all evening, but timely three-point shooting from the Eagles proved to be the difference.

First Half Summary

Morehouse came out throwing the first punch. The Maroon Tigers attacked the rim early, jumping to a 12–2 lead behind inside finishes from Logan McCormick and Josiah Lawson, plus transition baskets sparked by defensive pressure. Their quickness in the open floor produced early fast-break points, and Morehouse controlled the glass with multiple offensive rebounds to build a cushion.

Embry-Riddle answered with the three ball. Dawson Barr got the Eagles going, knocking down a couple of jumpers and a three, while guards Chalier Torres and Braeden Moore joined the perimeter barrage. That stretch turned a double-digit deficit into a one-possession game, and then a brief Embry-Riddle surge pushed the Eagles in front 30–22, their first significant lead of the night.

Morehouse responded with composure. Sincere Key and JerMontae Hill hit key perimeter shots, Moore buried a three, and the Tigers tightened defensively to whittle the margin back down. A late spurt powered by stops and free throws pulled Morehouse within one at 34–33 before a final Eagle jumper gave Embry-Riddle a 36–33 edge at the half. 

Second Half Summary

The Maroon Tigers came out of the locker room with renewed energy, and Moore set the tone. He turned steals into back-to-back transition layups to give Morehouse a 37–36 lead, and moments later Lawson finished in transition to knot the score at 41–41. Brandon Peters then converted a three-point play at the rim to push the Tigers ahead 44–41, marking their last lead as the game settled into a possession-by-possession grind.

From there, Embry-Riddle leaned heavily on its veteran backcourt. Barr and Moore continued to stretch the defense with threes, while point guard Jared Berry orchestrated the offense, attacking off the dribble, getting into the paint and living at the free-throw line. Each time Morehouse closed the gap—usually through Moore driving the lane, Hill finding mid-range rhythm, or Lawson working the boards—the Eagles answered with a timely three or steady free-throw shooting.

In the closing minutes, Embry-Riddle's perimeter shooting and poise at the line were the difference. The Eagles maintained a two-possession cushion down the stretch, and despite Moore's continued scoring and an active Morehouse bench, the Tigers could not come up with the one big stop and bucket they needed to flip the game. Embry-Riddle outscored Morehouse 37–34 in the second half to secure the six-point win.

Team Statistical Comparison

• Field Goals:

  Morehouse: 24-of-58 | Embry-Riddle: 24-of-56

• Three-Point Field Goals:

  Morehouse: 5-of-22 | Embry-Riddle: 11-of-28

• Free Throws:

  Morehouse: 14-of-16 | Embry-Riddle: 14-of-16

• Rebounds:

  Morehouse: 37 (13 offensive) | Embry-Riddle: 30 (8 offensive)

• Assists:

  Morehouse: 8 | Embry-Riddle: 16

• Turnovers:

  Morehouse: 18 (18 points allowed off turnovers) | Embry-Riddle: 15 (16 points allowed off turnovers)

• Points in the Paint:

  Morehouse: 32 | Embry-Riddle: 16

• Second-Chance Points:

  Morehouse: 8 | Embry-Riddle: 12

• Fast-Break Points:

  Morehouse: 12 |Embry-Riddle: 10

• Bench Points:

  Morehouse: 30 | Embry-Riddle: 25

Morehouse Statistical Leaders

• Sincere Moore (G): 20 points (8-of-13 FG, 2-of-5 3FG, 2-of-2 FT), 6 rebounds, 6 steals in 33 minutes

• JerMontae Hill (G): 11 points (3-of-7 FG, 1-of-2 3FG, 4-of-5 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist

• Sincere Key (G): 9 points (2-of-10 FG, 2-of-9 3FG, 3-of-3 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists

• Josiah Lawson (F): 8 points (3-of-7 FG, 2-of-2 FT), team-high 7 rebounds

• Brandon Peters (G): 7 points (2-of-4 FG, 3-of-4 FT), 3 assists, 2 rebounds

• Logan McCormick (F): 6 points (3-of-4 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 block

• Caleb Thompson (F): 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks

• Team Notes: 5 total blocks, 8 steals, and 30 bench points 

Despite the loss, Morehouse showcased a disruptive defense, an edge on the glass, and a dynamic two-way performance from Moore that should bode well as the season unfolds. If the Maroon Tigers can clean up turnovers and find a more consistent rhythm from the three-point line, this narrow 73–67 setback to Embry-Riddle has the feel of a building block rather than a step back. Morehouse faces Palm Beach Atlantic in the conclusion of Robert Garrett Classic at 3PM on Sunday.