Photo by: Carson Ming, Photo & Visual Editor

By: Rece Allen, Sports Editor

A second half rally by the Morehouse Maroon Tigers was spoiled, as the team lost in a nail biter game to the Fort Valley State Wildcats 58-57. The Maroon Tigers struggles from shooting, rebounding and pace led to today’s loss.

The Maroon Tigers went on a 21-7 run in the second half to get the team’s first lead of the game, 54-48 with eight minutes left. They trailed 41-33 at half because the team struggled to make shots early, as the team shot 29% from the field and 20% from three. The Maroon Tigers also struggled to secure defensive rebounds in the first half, allowing the Wildcats to score second chance points.

“You have to limit teams to one shot,” Coach Whittler said in the post-game interview. “Anytime you give a team multiple opportunities to score, eventually they will take advantage of that. I told the team they can’t keep leaving the door open because if we do, they’ll steal this game from us.”

On the route to the Maroon Tigers second half comeback, Amahn Decker found success inside the paint. He led the team in scoring with 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. 

Maroon Tigers guard, Sincere Key, had the highlight play of the game. Jermontae Hill missed a three point attempt, and Key followed up with a big time put-back dunk. The crowd erupted as it gave the Maroon Tigers a three point lead with five minutes left in the game.

From that point on, the Maroon Tigers had shifted the momentum in Forbes Arena. The crowd was hype as they created a hostile environment for the Wildcats. The Wildcats would go on to miss their next eight field goal attempts. However, the Maroon Tigers were unable to capitalize on the Wildcats missed shots and only held a two point lead with 45 seconds left in the game. 

“We gave the game away,” Coach Whittler said. “I feel like we rushed some shots down the stretch and did not execute enough on offense.”

The Wildcats scored to tie the game at 56, but would then foul Cedric Taylor III and send him to the free throw line with 12 seconds left. Taylor missed the first free throw attempt and made the second. 

The Wildcats pushed the ball down the floor as the time ticked down from 10 seconds. Wildcats guard Marcus Scott, drives to the paint and makes a layup around multiple defenders to take the lead by one with two seconds left in the game. 

Key attempts a half court shot to win the game, but barely misses off the backboard. Maroon Tigers lose 58-57. 

“This was a tough loss,” Coach Whittler said. “I have to give Fort Valley credit, they played hard and won the game. We have to come back prepared and ready to play on Monday. We have to focus on making our free throws, defensive rebounding and executing our offensive gameplan.”

The Maroon Tigers drop to a 9-9 record and will move on to the Albany State Golden Rams. They will host the Golden Rams in Forbes Arena on January 27th at 7 p.m.

Copy Edited by Rece Allen, Sports Editor