ALBANY, GA | The Morehouse Maroon Tigers (13-10, 10-5 SIAC) secured a thrilling 83-79 overtime victory against the Albany State Golden Rams (14-8, 11-4 SIAC) on Saturday, avenging their previous overtime loss on January 27. This win narrows Albany State's lead in the SIAC East, who along with Clark-Atlanta and Edward Waters are tied for first place, to a single game, intensifying the race for the top spot.

FIRST HALF

Morehouse came out firing on all cylinders in the first half, overwhelming Albany State with a combination of hot shooting, aggressive defense, and a relentless pace. The Maroon Tigers put up 46 points in the opening 20 minutes, building a commanding 21-point lead heading into halftime.

Morehouse wasted no time asserting themselves, opening the game with an 8-2 run, fueled by quick ball movement and efficient shot-making. Their early success rattled Albany State, forcing the Golden Rams into several turnovers and rushed shot attempts.

Midway through the first half, Morehouse extended their lead with a 12-3 scoring run, breaking the game open and pushing the lead into double digits. The Maroon Tigers' defensive pressure led to easy transition buckets, as Albany State struggled to handle the intensity.

As the half progressed, Morehouse continued to apply pressure, finishing the first half with a dominant 14-4 run, which pushed their advantage to 46-25 at the break. Their largest lead of the half was 21 points, showcasing their ability to control the tempo and dictate play.

Morehouse shot a blistering 54.5% from the field in the first half, including 41.7% from three-point range. Their ball movement was crisp, leading to open looks and high-percentage shots. On the defensive end, they held Albany State to just 34.5% shooting, including a cold 30.8% from beyond the arc.

One of the biggest keys to Morehouse's success was forcing turnovers. The Maroon Tigers' pressure defense led to 12 first-half turnovers by Albany State, which Morehouse capitalized on for transition points. Meanwhile, Morehouse took care of the basketball, committing only six turnovers in the opening half.

SECOND HALF

After a dominant first half that saw Morehouse build a 21-point halftime lead, the Maroon Tigers extended their advantage to a game-high 25 points with just over 18 minutes remaining in the second half. However, Albany State responded with a furious comeback.

The Golden Rams found renewed energy, immediately going on a 10-2 run that cut Morehouse's lead to 13 points. Their defensive pressure intensified, forcing Morehouse into several tough shots and turnovers. At the same time, Albany State's offense found its rhythm, capitalizing on fast breaks and perimeter shooting to chip away at the deficit.

Morehouse struggled offensively during the middle portion of the second half, making just 38.9% of their field goal attempts and 53.3% from the free-throw line. Albany State took advantage, using a 16-5 run to bring the game within single digits. Their three-point shooting became a major factor, as they connected on 58.3% of their shots from beyond the arc in the second half.

Turnovers also plagued Morehouse during this stretch. After committing just six turnovers in the first half, they gave the ball away eight times in the second half, leading to easy transition points for Albany State.

With just minutes remaining, Albany State made one final push, stringing together a 9-2 run to erase Morehouse's lead entirely. The Golden Rams continued their defensive intensity, forcing Morehouse into rushed shots and missed free throws. With under a minute to play, Albany State hit a clutch three-pointer to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Despite seeing their once 25-point lead disappear, Morehouse did not panic. The team remained poised, making key adjustments heading into the extra period. While Albany State had all the momentum, Morehouse's defense stiffened in overtime, allowing the Maroon Tigers to reclaim control of the game. Morehouse's shooting cooled off significantly (38.9% FG, 40.0% 3PT) compared to the first half. Albany State dominated from beyond the arc, hitting 7-of-12 (58.3%) three-pointers. Turnovers were costly for Morehouse, with eight giveaways leading to transition points for Albany State. Albany State outscored Morehouse 45-24 in the second half, forcing overtime with a last-minute three-pointer.

OVERTIME

After Albany State's furious second-half comeback forced the game into overtime, Morehouse regrouped and took control in the extra period, outscoring the Golden Rams 13-9 to secure the hard-fought victory.

The Maroon Tigers wasted no time in overtime.  JerMontae Hill would sink a pair of free throws, followed by Amahn Decker converting a crucial and-one layup to put Morehouse back in front. The Golden Rams momentarily took the lead with a clutch three-pointer, putting pressure back on Morehouse. With Albany State gaining momentum, Cedric Taylor would further push Morehouse ahead by sinking free throw to extend the advantage.

With the game on the line in the closing moments of overtime, Morehouse executed crucial plays to hold off Albany State's final push. Here's a breakdown of the final minute of action:

0:58 – Morehouse Takes Control

• Morehouse forces a turnover, preventing Albany State from getting a quick score.

0:36 – Morehouse Extends Lead

• Cedric Taylor III is fouled and makes one of two free throws, keeping Albany State within striking distance. (Morehouse 81, Albany State 75

0:30 – Albany State Strikes Back

• Albany State dunks the ball, cutting the deficit to just two points. (Morehouse 81, Albany State 77)

0:27 – Morehouse Ices the Game

• Amahn Decker is fouled and calmly hits two free throws, giving Morehouse a six-point cushion. (Morehouse 83, Albany State 77)

0:12 – Final Albany State Possession

• Albany State sinks a pair of free throws. (Morehouse 81, Albany State 79)

Team Comparison

Morehouse shot 48.3% (28-of-58) from the field and 36.8% (7-of-19) from three-point range, while Albany State finished at 42.2% (27-of-64) overall and 41.4% (12-of-29) from beyond the arc. The Maroon Tigers dominated the paint and outscored Albany State 38-22 inside, but struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 60.6% (20-of-33). Albany State forced Morehouse into 14 turnovers, but the Maroon Tigers made up for it by forcing 18 turnovers.  Albany State held a slight rebounding edge, grabbing 39 boards compared to the Maroon Tigers' 38.

Morehouse Standouts

• Amahn Decker led the charge with 23 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and 9-of-14 from the line.
• Cedric Taylor III added 20 points and 5 rebounds while knocking down two three-pointers.
• Omar Rowe chipped in 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including two crucial three-pointers.
• Jaden Gray controlled the offense with 9 points and a team-high 7 assists.

This win not only avenges their January 27 overtime loss but also builds confidence heading into the final stretch of the season. Morehouse displayed tremendous resilience, overcoming a second-half collapse and executing in overtime to secure a statement victory. The Maroon Tigers withstood Albany State's late-game push by making key defensive stops and hitting clutch free throws down the stretch. The win avenges their previous overtime loss and keeps Morehouse in the thick of the SIAC East race.  Morehouse will now turn their attention to Fort Valley State, where they will face the Wildcats on Monday night at 7 PM in another pivotal conference matchup. ​ For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.