By: Kevin Williams, Sports Reporter

OAKLAND, Calif. — In a compelling display at the 2025 NBA HBCU Classic, Tuskegee University triumphed over Morehouse College with a 68-55 victory on Saturday at Oakland Arena.

The Golden Tigers (11-12, 9-8 SIAC) snapped a three-game losing streak, showcasing resilience and strategic prowess. Senior forward Kusame Draper dominated the court, recording 22 points and 15 rebounds. Guard Kevin Sesberry contributed 19 points and two steals, while D’Anthony Pennington added 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, hitting crucial three-pointers to maintain Tuskegee’s momentum.

“This is how you increase membership, viewership, HBCU basketball, and the knowledge of players,” Tuskegee head coach Benjy Taylor said. “If you love basketball, you wouldn’t rather be in any other situation rather than what we’re in this weekend. Competing on this stage and securing a victory speaks volumes about our team’s dedication and the rich tradition of HBCU basketball.”

After a jittery start to the game with both teams struggling to find the range from deep (combined shooting 3/20 from three in the first half), both teams settled down. They began to play each other even through 13 minutes in the first half, Tuskegee closed on a high note, outscoring Morehouse 17-6 in a 7:32 stretch. This included a 7-0 run in the final two minutes to take a 30-22 lead into halftime.

Rebounding and Free Throws were also key to Tuskegee’s building its victory. Morehouse made a putrid 8 of 21 free throw attempts in the game for 38.1% compared to the Golden Tigers’ 68.4%. While also getting outrebounded by Tuskegee, 41-36.

Morehouse College (13-12, 10-7 SIAC) started strong, leading early in the first half 14-12. Guard Sincere Key led Morehouse with 15 points off the bench, while forward Amahn Decker added 10 points and nine rebounds. However, reigning SIAC Player of the Week Cedric Taylor III struggled. Taylor III would finish with eight points (3-8 shooting, 0-4 from three), as the Maroon Tigers lost two straight games.

Apart from All-Star Weekend, the HBCU Classic underscores the league’s commitment to highlighting HBCUs. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the event’s significance: “We’re incredibly proud of the HBCU Classic,” he said Saturday. “We’ve been doing that for a number of years now. Different schools come in every year to highlight what’s happening at HBCUs. We love our relationship with the HBCUs and are pleased about how that’s going.”

Morehouse’s Director of Athletics, Harold Ellis, reflected on the event’s impact: “We’re gonna get one opportunity to make a good impression,” Ellis said. “No matter what you’ve done the whole year, you come here today and you play well, all it takes is one scout to see you and that can take you to a different level.”

Notable alumni and HBCU supporters who attended the event included director Spike Lee and Martin Luther King III. NBA All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stopped by and talked to Morehouse before the game.

“Play to be great,” Gilgeous-Alexander told the Maroon Tigers. “Don’t take any opportunity for granted. Go out there to win and when you win, everything else falls in line.”

Tuskegee will look to build on this momentum as they return to SIAC play, while Morehouse aims to regroup and prepare for their upcoming conference matchups.