FORT VALLEY, GA – The Morehouse Maroon Tigers saw their four-game winning streak come to an end Monday night in a heartbreaking 66-64 loss to the Fort Valley State Wildcats at the Health and Physical Education Complex. Despite a valiant second-half rally, the Maroon Tigers fell just short in the closing moments.
First Half
Morehouse came out with confidence, eager to extend their win streak. Early baskets by Jaden Gray and JerMontae Hill helped Morehouse build an early lead, but it was short-lived. Fort Valley State's Antonio Puaauli-Pelham caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting seven three-pointers in the half.
The Maroon Tigers fought hard inside, scoring 14 points in the paint, but turnovers proved costly. Fort Valley State capitalized on fast breaks and second-chance opportunities, outscoring Morehouse 44-31 by halftime. The Wildcats shot 45.7% from the field compared to Morehouse's 40.3%, largely due to their efficiency from three-point range.
Second Half
Morehouse came out of the locker room with renewed energy. Cedric Taylor III and Gray led a charge that cut the deficit, but the Wildcats continued to find ways to hold their lead. Fort Valley extended their advantage to 17 points early in the half, prompting a Morehouse timeout.
Coming out of the break, the Maroon Tigers responded with a 9-0 run, fueled by key defensive stops and strong play from Taylor III. A clutch three from Taylor III and an inside score from Amahn Decker made it a single-digit game. Morehouse's defense stiffened, forcing Fort Valley into contested shots.
With under two minutes remaining, Morehouse went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a crucial three from Gray and a strong finish inside by Taylor III. With just 14 seconds left, the Maroon Tigers tied the game at 64-64 after Gray knocked down two pressure-packed free throws. However, Fort Valley's Sayerr Senghore was fouled in the final second and hit both free throws, sealing Morehouse's fate.
Key Team Comparisons
The game was decided by a few critical factors. Fort Valley State outrebounded Morehouse 34-35, but the Wildcats had more second-chance points (12-5) and took advantage of Morehouse's 11 turnovers, converting them into 14 points. Morehouse shot 43.6% from the field, but the Wildcats' nine three-pointers were the difference.
Morehouse Leaders
Looking Ahead
The Maroon Tigers will be traveling to California, to take on Tuskegee in the HBCU NBA Classic on Saturday. The game will tip off at 5PM ET and will be simulcast on ESPN, TRU-TV, and NBA-TV. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at
www.morehouseathletics.com.
