Photo taken by Andy Harris

Will Clay, Staff Writer

Morehouse and Clark played each other twice last week during rivalry week. Thursday, Feb. 11, the basketball rivalry of Morehouse College vs. Clark Atlanta University saw a blowout, but Saturday’s game was a double-overtime thriller and an instant classic.

Morehouse men’s basketball came in with a 14-6 record overall while Clark sat at 8-12. It was a nip and tuck ball game for the entire game with 15 lead changes, and the largest lead of only seven.

Game two of their weekend clash was a thriller from tip-off to past regulation. Shots were thrown back to back, momentum shifted and all in attendance were locked in on the action. The CAU Panthers decided they would not go down without a fight this round.

A huge game from Clark freshman guard Jalen Williams who scored a game-high 30 points and shot just under 50% from the field. Collectively their shooters showed off their mid-range. Shannon Smith and Justin Longstreet also led the way, including Smith’s last-second heave that brought Clark within one.

The intensely fast-paced 1st half ended on a score of 37-35 with ‘Da House up two. There was not much rim protection as both teams scored over 30 points in the paint.

The second half was full of haymakers from the 3-point line as 44% from behind the line and 50% in the first overtime. Once one team looked back against the ropes, they came back with shots of their own.

Morehouse sophomore guard Andrew Stewart let it fly from deep, shooting 50% from three and snagging four steals. As a team, the Maroon Tigers scored 51 points off the bench.   

The seniors on Morehouse showed poise during crunch time. Senior guard Billy Thomas missed seven threes but kept shooting it like the elite shooters do, and drilled a clutch go-ahead three to put the Maroon Tigers up by 1 in double overtime. Senior guard Noah Morgan contributed with 10 points and hit clutch free throws and a steal during double overtime to seal the game.

The Maroon Tigers are currently 15-6 and riding on a 12 game winning streak. They will look to extend this win streak tonight at 7 p.m. vs Fort Valley State University in Forbes Arena.