By: Rece Allen, Sports Editor

The Morehouse Maroon Tigers fall short to the Clayton State Lakers 79-76 in an intense offensive battle. Not being able to make free throws and turning the ball over down the stretch lead to the game slipping away from the Maroon Tigers.

Down to the last seconds of the game, Cedric Taylor III gets an open shot from the three to go to overtime but was not able to make it.

Taylor struggled shooting today, going one for six from the field and zero for four from the three point line. Nonetheless his coach and teammates trust him no matter the circumstance. 

“The plan was to get the ball downhill and draw the defense in, then get it out to one of the shooters which we did”, Coach Whittler said. “We trust him. He was poised and took his time on the shot. He got the guy to fly by him, but unfortunately he didn’t knock it down. 

Credit to the Lakers offensive efficiency as they shot 62% from the field and 66% from the three point line. The leading scorer for the Lakers, Elijah Dates, finished with a game high of 25 points.

Compared to the last game against Valdosta State, the Maroon Tigers were able to fix most of what hindered the team from winning the game.

The Maroon Tigers were able to make shots by shooting 50% from the field and 40% from the three point line and cut down on turnovers with only eight in today’s game.

However, timely missed free throws and turnovers ended up costing the Maroon Tigers the game.

“We have to make sure we rebound, make free throws and not turn the ball over”, Coach Whittler said. “Understanding how to manage the clock. We took some quick shots and tried to go score over multiple people and we turned the ball over. When you turn the ball over and miss free throws it is tough to win games like that”. 

The Maroon Tigers standout players from this game, Omar Rowe and JerMontae Hill, helped in the team’s attempt to win. Rowe’s efficient three point shooting and Hill’s hustle and ability to handle ball pressure were the key reasons the Maroon Tiger were almost victorious.  

Rowe finished with 13 points and five rebounds, while shooting five for six from the field. Hill finished with 10 points and four steals.

“They stepped up today, they really wanted to win the game”, said Coach Whittler. “We love those guys and what they bring to the team night in and night out. We have a great team, we just have to figure out how to close games out”. 

Josiah Lawson was also a player who stepped up for the Maroon Tigers, with a team high 16 points. 

The Maroon Tigers move on to play the St. Leo Lions in MOCS Thanksgiving Classic on November 29th at George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Florida. 

Copy Edited by Rece Allen