ATLANTA, GA | In a heavyweight SIAC cross-division showdown Saturday, January 31, 2026, Morehouse protected home court with a 77–69 win over Tuskegee at Frank L. Forbes Arena. With the Maroon Tigers entering the day in first place in the SIAC East and the Golden Tigers pacing the SIAC West, Morehouse leaned on timely three-point shooting and a steady parade to the free-throw line to extend its calendar-year surge, nine straight wins in 2026 and a 9–1 mark over the last 10 games, while remaining unbeaten in the SIAC East Division (8–0). The afternoon also doubled as a celebration of legacy, as nine former Maroon Tigers were inducted into the Basketball Den of Honor at halftime in front of an announced crowd of 1,637.
First half
Tuskegee struck first, but Morehouse quickly found rhythm from the perimeter. After a defensive takeaway to open the game, the Maroon Tigers answered with back-to-back triples from Sincere Moore to grab the lead and set an early tone. JerMontae Hill followed with a tough score inside, and Morehouse continued to pressure the Golden Tigers into hurried possessions, turning stops into quick-hit opportunities at the other end.
Tuskegee steadied itself behind timely shot-making, most notably a three that trimmed the margin and a couple of strong finishes that kept the game within a single possession. The Golden Tigers later pushed through a brief run of their own, taking a 20–19 edge as the half moved toward the eight-minute mark and forcing Morehouse to respond.
Morehouse did just that, decisively. The Maroon Tigers uncorked the defining stretch of the half, a 12–0 burst fueled entirely by the long ball. Brandon Peters buried a three to ignite it, Hill drilled consecutive triples, and Sincere Key capped the surge with another from deep, flipping the game into a double-digit advantage and lifting the home crowd.
Tuskegee, however, refused to fade before intermission. The Golden Tigers closed the half with a push that chipped into the margin, including a late three and another basket in the final seconds. Still, Morehouse carried a 36–31 lead into the break, and then turned the floor over to the Den of Honor ceremony at halftime.
Second half
Morehouse came out of the locker room with purpose and stretched the gap immediately. Moore opened the half with another three, Ebuka Peter Okechukwu followed with a score, and Moore converted a three-shot foul at the line to complete an 8–0 start that pushed the lead to its largest of the day, 44–31.
Tuskegee answered with a flurry gradually trimming the deficit and turning the final 15 minutes into a grind. The Golden Tigers got within four (53–49) midway through the half, applying pressure on every possession and forcing Morehouse to execute.
In the response moments, Morehouse delivered. Hill attacked the rim and added free throws, Key chipped in at the line, and the Maroon Tigers kept the scoreboard moving even when Tuskegee's interior game threatened to swing momentum. Josiah Lawson provided a major lift down the stretch, finishing through contact for key buckets, and Moore knocked down a momentum three that restored breathing room.
Tuskegee kept coming late, pulling within single digits in the final minute, but Morehouse closed the door the old-fashioned way. Moore calmly sank late free throws, Hill added a pair more, and the Maroon Tigers walked off with a 77–69 victory, another statement in a streak that's showing no signs of slowing.
Team comparison
- Field goals: Morehouse 21–50 (42.0%) | Tuskegee 26–55 (47.3%)
- Three-pointers: Morehouse 10–25 (40.0%) | Tuskegee 4–14 (28.6%)
- Free throws: Morehouse 25–29 (86.2%) | Tuskegee 13–20 (65.0%)
- Rebounds: Morehouse 29 | Tuskegee 37 (Tuskegee 13 offensive rebounds)
- Assists: Morehouse 12 | Tuskegee 8
- Turnovers: Morehouse 10 | Tuskegee 10
- Points in the paint: Morehouse 10 | Tuskegee 30
- Fast-break points: Morehouse 17 | Tuskegee 9
- Bench points: Morehouse 24 | Tuskegee 13
Statistical Leaders
Den of Honor
Donn Clendenon, Class of 1956. – Donn was a twelve-time letterman in football, basketball and baseball at Morehouse, and had received contract offers from both the Cleveland Browns and the Harlem Globetrotters. While Clendenon may be most famous for his baseball exploits in the 1969 World Series for the Miricle Mets, he was also All-SIAC in basketball in 1955. Clendenon is also a member of the SIAC Hall of Fame.
James "Pinky" Haines, Class of 1941. – While at Morehouse, Haines lettered in baseball, basketball, football, and track. After graduating, Haines became the first African-American to receive a D.P.Ed. in physical education from Springfield College in Massachusetts. Haines returned to Morehouse to coach five different sports, including the Tiger-Sharks from its inception until 1976 (record 255-25). Haines also coached tennis for 17 years, winning 16 SIAC titles.
Fleeks "Butch" Hazel, class of 1987. – A three-year starter for the Maroon Tigers, Hazel was an All-SIAC performer and team captain, recognized for his leadership, court vision, and competitive intensity. During the 1986 and 1987 seasons, he led the team in steals and assists, and in 1987 also led the Tigers in scoring, anchoring the program during a period of strong conference competition. Following his graduation, Hazel continued his basketball career professionally, playing in Italy, where he further demonstrated his skill and discipline at the international level. Hazel was All-SIAC in 1987.
Michael Manley, Class of 1978. - Standing an imposing 6 feet 5 inches, Manley distinguished himself as one of the first true "big guards" in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)—a pioneering role that helped redefine the position during an era when size and versatility at guard were rare. He played basketball at Morehouse College from 1974 to 1978, earning recognition as a three-year starter and becoming a cornerstone of the Maroon Tigers program.
As a senior, Manley was selected Co-Captain and named an All-Conference player, capping off a remarkable collegiate career by averaging 20.7 points per game, while shooting an exceptional 58 percent from the field and 85 percent from the free-throw line.
Darrius Williams, Class of 2014 - Under the leadership and guidance of Coach Grady Brewer and Coach Doug Whittler, Williams helped lead Morehouse to a division championship in 2013 and graduated in 2014. During his collegiate career, he accumulated numerous accolades, including:
• Preseason Player of the Year
• Newcomer of the Year
• Two-time All-SIAC selection
• Two-time SIAC leading scorer
• SIAC leading rebounder
• First Team All-SIAC Tournament
• Two-time Morehouse leading scorer
• Two-time Morehouse leading rebounder
• Frank D. Forbes Most Outstanding Player
Grady Brewer, Class of 1980 - Brewer hit the coaching ranks in grand fashion, after serving as an assistant coach for 13 years under legendary Morehouse coach Arthur McAfee, who coached him in college. During his 20 years as the Maroon Tigers' head coach, Brewer has compiled a 315-241 record. His win total sits only behind Arthur McAfee, in Morehouse history. During the 2018 season, Brewer led Morehouse to a 20-5 record, including a No. 3 national ranking, the highest national ranking by a Maroon Tiger team in school history including earning back-to-back SIAC regular season titles and back-to-back SIAC Coach of the Year honors.
Dr. James B. Ellison, Class of 1938 – Ellison held the position of Morehouse school physician for 48 years. In 2001, the Morehouse Infirmary was renamed in his honor. In addition to serving the Atlanta African-American and Morehouse communities, Dr. Ellison became politically active during the civil rights era as a member of the "Doctor's Committee on Implementation" whose efforts helped to desegregate all hospitals in the US.
Frank Forbes, Class of 1928. – Forbes served three stints as Morehouse basketball coach. Forbes sits 3
rd on the Morehouse win list with 306. Forbes won two SIAC regular season championships and two SIAC tournament championships.
Arthur McAfee, Jr. - McAfee, Jr., known affectionately as Sonny or Coach Mac, spent 35 years at Morehouse, the last 28 as Director of Athletics, from 1965 through 2000. During his time leading the Maroon Tigers basketball program, he won 464 games. In 1981, his team won 9-of-10 games down the stretch, culminating with a win over Clark College to win the program's first SIAC title since 1946 and earn the school a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
McAfee had four 20-win campaigns, the first coming in 1988-89 as the Maroon Tigers went 25-4 but were upset in the SIAC Tournament Semifinals. But, in 1989-90, future NBA player
Harold Ellis would help lead the Maroon Tigers to a 26-7 record, winning the SIAC Title and NCAA Division II South Region Championship. The team would make it to the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament, falling in the National Semifinals and finishing fourth in the nation.
Up next
With the win, Morehouse remains in first place in the SIAC East, improving to 8–0 in the division while continuing a nine-game winning streak to open the 2026 calendar year. The Maroon Tigers return to action at home on Tuesday, February 3 at 7 p.m. versus Kentucky State University at Forbes Arena. The game will stream on the SIAC Network. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com or Maroon Tiger basketball on Instagram @morehousebasketball.
