By: Tyler Lewis, Staff Writer

The Morehouse Maroon Tigers’ SIAC Tournament run came to an abrupt end Thursday night as they fell to Central State University Marauders 77-70. The Tigers never seemed to find their rhythm during the game. From the opening tip, Morehouse struggled to match Central State’s energy and efficiency. Despite a strong effort in the second half, the Maroon Tigers were unable to overcome their sluggish start and close the gap. 

From the start, the Maroon Tigers looked a step behind. Shots that normally fall clanked off the rim, and defensive lapses allowed Central State to build an early advantage. The Marauders shot 48.3% from the field in the first half, while Morehouse hit 44% of their shots. The concerns came from Morehouse’s three-point shooting. They shot an underwhelming 22.2 % from beyond-the-arc compared to Central State’s 46.2%, a disparity that ultimately played a role in their 38-27 first-half deficit.  

Leading the way for Central State was Junior guard Ramar Pryor, who torched the Morehouse defense for 15 first-half points, taking advantage of open looks and getting to the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Maroon Tigers had trouble generating offense, with only forward Cedric Taylor III scoring 11 points and finding any rhythm early on. 

The Maroon Tigers came out of the break with more urgency, trying to chip away at the deficit. However, every time they made a push, Central State had an answer. Morehouse’s defense tightened up, forcing tougher shots, but their offensive troubles persisted. The Marauders capitalized on Morehouse’s turnovers and missed opportunities, maintaining control of the game. 

Despite a late push where Morehouse cut the deficit down to 6, a couple of turnovers and failure to get crucial baskets down the stretch were the deciding factor at the end. Pryor finished with a game-high 26 points, icing the game with late free throws to secure Central State’s victory.   

Head coach for Morehouse, Douglas Whitler stated that the team “wasn’t prepared” in shootaround, feeling a lack of energy despite a “great practice” the day before.  

For Morehouse, Taylor III led the team with 14 points, while forward Amahn Decker added 11 points on an efficient 83% shooting. However, the Maroon Tigers were undone by their struggles from deep, finishing the game shooting just 5-20 from three. 

The loss marks a disappointing end to a promising season for Morehouse, which entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed with high expectations. Coach Whitler says he and his staff must search for “better players that are focused and willing to listen.”