In the first Big Cat Basketball Classic of the year, the Maroon Tigers dominated from start to finish, earning an 86–64 victory over Clark Atlanta University. This game was more than a rivalry matchup; it was also a clash between the two top teams on the Eastern side of the SIAC.
The atmosphere in Burr Gymnasium was electric from the opening tip. The packed crowd pulsed with energy, and AUC rivalry chants echoed off the walls, sparking reactions from both student sections with every basket and defensive stop.
Morehouse set the pace early, jumping out to an 11-point lead before Clark Atlanta narrowed the gap to 43–42 early in the second half. The surge was short-lived, however, as Morehouse regained control with timely three-pointers and key defensive stops that swung momentum back in their favor.
Morehouse’s victory was a complete team effort. The Tigers shot over 50% from the field, including an exact 50% from beyond the arc. Four players reached double-digit scoring, three of them starters, with senior forward JerMontae Hill, an Atlanta native, leading the charge with 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
After Wednesday’s win against Fort Valley State, Head Coach Larry Dixon praised his team’s mental and physical growth. “Those two losses at the CP3 tournament were pivotal in our development as a team,” he said. Since the start of the new year, Morehouse has gone undefeated and has now won three straight matchups against Clark Atlanta. The Maroon Tigers now hold a record of 10-7.
Looking ahead, Morehouse travels to Washington, D.C., to face Howard University in the MLK Day Classic at 4 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium. Last year, the Maroon Tigers pulled off an upset against the Bison, marking their first win over a Division I opponent since 1997.
