ATLANTA, GA | The Morehouse Maroon Tigers took a commanding second-half lead and never looked back, securing a 62-51 victory over the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians in the first round of the SIAC Basketball Tournament. With this win, Morehouse advances to face the winner of the Fort Valley State Wildcats and Central State Marauders on Thursday, March 6.  After a tightly contested first half that ended in a 27-27 tie, Morehouse took control in the final 20 minutes behind a strong defensive effort, clutch shooting, and a commanding rebounding advantage. Led by Cedric Taylor III's 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks, along with JerMontae Hill's 18-point, 10-rebound double-double, the Maroon Tigers held LeMoyne-Owen to just 24 second-half points while pulling away late. The victory sends Morehouse to the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of Fort Valley State vs. Central State on Thursday, March 6.

FIRST HALF

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams battling for control in a low-scoring, defensive struggle. The score remained deadlocked at 27-27 heading into halftime, setting the stage for an intense second half.

LeMoyne-Owen struck first with a quick layup, but Morehouse responded immediately with an inside jumper from Jaden Gray. The Magicians established themselves early in the paint, scoring multiple close-range buckets to stay competitive. A dunk by Amahn Decker and a three-pointer from Sincere Key helped Morehouse build an early lead, but the Magicians kept pace by capitalizing on offensive rebounds and second-chance points.

While both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm, Morehouse showed flashes of efficiency from beyond the arc. JerMontae Hill and Cedric Taylor III connected on key three-pointers to keep the Maroon Tigers within striking distance whenever LeMoyne-Owen attempted to pull away. On the defensive end, Morehouse's shot-blocking was a major factor, with Cedric Taylor III leading the charge with multiple rejections that prevented the Magicians from converting easy looks.

LeMoyne-Owen, despite their inefficiency from deep, found success in the paint. Khalil Genwright and Austin Jordan combined for solid mid-range and interior scoring, exploiting gaps in the Morehouse defense. However, the Magicians' struggles from the free-throw line (1-of-2 in the first half) prevented them from building a significant lead.

One of the key statistical differences in the first half was rebounding. Morehouse held a slight edge with 21 total rebounds (5 offensive, 16 defensive) compared to LeMoyne-Owen's 24 rebounds (9 offensive, 15 defensive). The Magicians had the upper hand on the offensive glass early on, creating second-chance opportunities, but Morehouse's front-court adjusted later in the half, limiting their opponent's second-chance points.

Turnovers played a role in keeping the game tight. Morehouse committed five first-half turnovers, allowing LeMoyne-Owen to capitalize in transition. The Magicians, however, struggled to take full advantage, turning the ball over three times themselves.

As the clock wound down in the first half, Cedric Taylor III made a crucial three-pointer, putting Morehouse ahead temporarily before LeMoyne-Owen responded with a quick layup by Jordan. The teams exchanged missed opportunities in the final minute, and a late steal by Kyle Houston of LeMoyne-Owen gave the Magicians a chance to take the lead. However, Morehouse's defense held strong, forcing a missed shot at the buzzer to keep the game tied at 27 heading into halftime.

SECOND HALF

Morehouse came out of the locker room determined to seize control. A combination of tenacious defense, second-half rebounding dominance, and efficient scoring from key players propelled the Maroon Tigers to a 35-24 second-half advantage, securing a 62-51 victory over LeMoyne-Owen in the first round of the SIAC Tournament.

Morehouse wasted no time making a statement, as Cedric Taylor III opened the half with a three-pointer, quickly putting the Tigers in front. Morehouse's defense responded in kind, with Taylor III and JerMontae Hill anchoring the paint, swatting away shots and preventing easy scoring opportunities for LeMoyne-Owen.

The Magicians continued to battle inside, relying on Abdoul Sacko and Khalil Genwright to generate points in the paint. However, their inability to convert from the free-throw line (1-of-3 in the second half) hindered their chances of regaining momentum.

As the half progressed, Morehouse began to take control by pushing the pace and capitalizing on transition opportunities. JerMontae Hill scored on back-to-back possessions, finishing a tough layup in traffic before knocking down a three-pointer that ignited the Forbes Arena crowd. Morehouse's defensive effort intensified, forcing LeMoyne-Owen into contested jumpers and denying second-chance opportunities with strong rebounding.

Midway through the half, Taylor III delivered a thunderous dunk off a fast break, extending the lead to 43-38. Morehouse's ability to control the tempo and lock down defensively forced the Magicians into difficult possessions. While Austin Jordan and Khalil Genwright tried to keep LeMoyne-Owen in the game with mid-range jumpers, Morehouse's shot-blocking and perimeter defense stifled the Magicians' attack.

With about five minutes remaining, Morehouse's defense came up big with a sequence of three consecutive blocks, including two from Taylor III and one from Jaden Gray. This led to a fast-break layup by Hill, putting Morehouse up 52-45 with 3:30 left on the clock.

LeMoyne-Owen, now desperate to mount a comeback, increased their defensive pressure, forcing Morehouse into a couple of turnovers. However, they failed to capitalize, missing several jump shots and struggling from the three-point line (1-of-5 in the second half).

As LeMoyne-Owen began intentionally fouling in the final minutes, Morehouse sealed the game at the free-throw line. Chimezie Okeke would go 4-of-4 from the charity stripe in the closing moments, scoring six of the final seven points for the Maroon Tigers, securing the 62-51 victory and punching Morehouse's ticket to the second round of the SIAC Tournament.

TEAM COMPARISON

Morehouse shot 40% from the field (22-of-55) compared to LeMoyne-Owen's 34% (23-of-67). The Maroon Tigers were more efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 6-of-20 attempts while the Magicians managed only 3-of-14. Free throws were a major difference-maker, with Morehouse capitalizing on 12-of-18 from the stripe, while LeMoyne-Owen struggled, making just 2-of-5.

Defensively, Morehouse controlled the boards, outrebounding LeMoyne-Owen 47-34, including 13 offensive rebounds. The Tigers also recorded an impressive 9 blocks compared to the Magicians' 4, setting the tone in the paint.

MOREHOUSE LEADERS

• Cedric Taylor III led all scorers with 20 points, adding 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 2 assists.
• JerMontae Hill contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists, providing a consistent scoring presence.
• Sincere Key chipped in with 6 points and a three-pointer that ignited Morehouse's second-half run.
• Jaden Gray led the team in assists with 4, while also registering a block and 3 rebounds.
• Dre Watson was a key contributor off the bench, pulling down 8 rebounds and blocking a shot.

OUTLOOK

Morehouse's dominance in the paint, rebounding, and defense ultimately decided the game. By out-rebounding LeMoyne-Owen 26-10 in the second half and holding the Magicians to just one made three-pointer, Morehouse flexed its defensive muscle and ability to close out games.  They now set their sights on Thursday's quarterfinal matchup, where they aim to continue their championship pursuit. The Maroon Tigers advance to face the winner of Fort Valley State vs. Central State on March 6.  For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.