COLUMBIA, SC | The Morehouse Maroon Tigers put on a commanding performance, defeating the Allen Yellow Jackets 83-51 at Adams Gymnasium on February 24, 2025. Morehouse controlled the game from start to finish, holding Allen to just 26 first-half points and maintaining their defensive intensity throughout the contest.

FIRST HALF

The first half of Morehouse's 83-51 victory over Allen saw the Maroon Tigers establish control early with strong defense and efficient shooting. Morehouse outscored Allen 39-26 in the opening 20 minutes, setting the tone for the game.

The Maroon Tigers' defense was aggressive from the start, forcing 13 Allen turnovers in the first half, which led to 10 points off turnovers. Morehouse also capitalized in transition, scoring 9 fast-break points, and controlled the paint with 18 points inside.

Offensively, Morehouse shot 47% from the field in the first half (16 of 34) and hit 4 three-pointers on 15 attempts. Though their three-point shooting wasn't at its best early, their ability to attack the rim and draw fouls helped maintain their lead. They also made 3 of 6 free throws in the half.

On the other side, Allen struggled with their shooting, hitting only 8 of 23 field goal attempts (34.8%). While they managed to get to the free-throw line often, converting 8 of 11 attempts, their inability to protect the ball and generate offense consistently left them trailing.

By halftime, Morehouse had built a 13-point lead, thanks to their defensive pressure, bench depth, and ability to finish around the basket. This strong first-half performance positioned them for an even more dominant second half.

SECOND HALF

In the second half, Morehouse extended their lead and completely took control of the game, outscoring Allen 44-25 to seal an 83-51 victory. The Maroon Tigers' defense tightened even further, forcing 8 more turnovers and limiting Allen to just 9 made field goals in the final 20 minutes.

Morehouse's offense was more efficient after the break, shooting 50% from the field (12 of 24) and connecting on 7 of 14 three-pointers (50%). Their improved three-point shooting helped them stretch the lead, while they also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 13 of 14 attempts (93%).

On defense, Morehouse's presence in the paint remained strong, blocking 4 shots and securing 15 rebounds, preventing Allen from getting second-chance opportunities. Allen, on the other hand, struggled offensively, shooting just 40.9% (9 of 22) and making only 1 of 3 three-pointers. They also missed crucial free throws, converting just 6 of 15 (40%) from the line.

Morehouse's bench continued to shine, contributing 31 points in the second half alone, compared to Allen's 12 bench points. Their depth and defensive energy allowed them to steadily increase their lead, turning a 13-point halftime advantage into a dominant 32-point win.

TEAM COMPARISON

the Morehouse Maroon Tigers outperformed their opponent in nearly every statistical category. Morehouse shot 48.3% from the field (28 of 58), a significant advantage over Allen's 37.8% shooting (17 of 45). The Maroon Tigers were also more efficient from beyond the arc, making 11 of 29 three-point attempts (37.9%), compared to Allen's 3 of 12 (25%).

At the free-throw line, Morehouse displayed accuracy, converting 16 of 20 attempts (80%), while Allen struggled, making just 14 of 26 (53.8%). Morehouse also dominated in key hustle categories, outrebounding Allen 29-24 and recording 15 assists to Allen's 7.

Defensively, Morehouse's intensity was evident as they forced 21 turnovers while committing only 15 of their own. They turned those Allen mistakes into 22 points off turnovers, compared to just 9 points off turnovers for Allen. Morehouse also had the edge in defensive pressure, tallying 10 steals to Allen's 5, and blocking 6 shots, twice as many as Allen's 3.

The Maroon Tigers' depth played a significant role in the win, with their bench contributing 50 points, whereas Allen's reserves only managed 20 points. Additionally, Morehouse capitalized on fast-break opportunities, scoring 14 points in transition compared to Allen's 7.

MOREHOUSE LEADERS

• Omar Rowe led the team in scoring with 14 points on 5-9 shooting, including 3-6 from three-point range.
• JerMontae Hill added 13 points, shooting 75% from the field (6-8).
• Sincere Key contributed 9 points, all from three-pointers (3-4 from deep).
• Cedric Taylor III had a well-rounded game with 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
• Brandon Peters was a defensive force with 5 steals and also scored 5 points.

SIAC RACE

The victory improves Morehouse's record to 16-12 overall and 13-7 in the SIAC, while Allen drops to 6-20 overall and 2-18 in conference play. As of February 24, 2025, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) East Division men's basketball standings are as follows:

• Clark Atlanta University: Leading the division with a conference record of 14-5 and an overall record of 17-9.  Morehouse is 2-0 versus the Panthers this season.
• Albany State University: Holding a conference record of 14-6 and an overall record of 17-10. Morehouse is 1-1 versus the Golden Rams this season.
• Morehouse College: Matching Edward Waters with a conference record of 13-7 and an overall record of 16-12.
• Edward Waters University: In fourth place with a conference record of 12-8 and an overall record of 16-11. Morehouse is 1-1 versus the Tigers this season.

When looking at other potential tie breakers, they break down as follows:

TEAM	RECORD AMONG TIED	POINT DIFF (AMONG TIED)
MHC	4-2	+13
CAU	3-3	+6
ASU	3-3	-6
EWU	2-4	-9

When evaluating multiple scenarios, Morehosue owns the tie-breaker in each situation.  With no result reported in the Clark-Atlanta vs. Benedict basketball game, Morehouse sits in a position where the Maroon Tigers can finish anywhere in the top four positions in the SIAC East.  The SIAC regular season concludes on Wednesday night.  The Maroon Tigers face Benedict, while Clark-Atlanta faces Allen.  Edward Waters will play Fort Valley and Albany State concludes with Savannah State.  The seeds for the upcoming SIAC tournament will be revealed on Thursday morning.  Should Morehouse NOT claim the top position is the SIAC East, they will host the first-round of the SIAC Basketball Tournament on Sunday, February 2 against an opponent from the SIAC West.  For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.