Photo by: Jordan Phillips, Student Photographer/Videographer

By: Rece Allen, Sports Editor

The Morehouse Maroon Tigers capture a big win against the Clark Atlanta Panthers in a classic rivalry game in Epps Gymnasium. The Maroon Tigers early success in the first half allowed the team to maintain the lead for the entire game and outlast the Panthers second-half comeback.

To start out the game, the Maroon Tigers went on a quick eight-to-zero run. The team’s ability to make shots from the field and three-point line early helped build their lead. The team shot 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 70% from the foul line in the game.

A key player for the Maroon Tigers was last year’s SIAC Freshman Player of the Year, Cedric Taylor III. Taylor led the game with 26 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. 15 of his 26 points came in the first half, along with all three of his three-pointers made.

Guard Jaden Gray, alongside Taylor, also led to the Maroon Tigers big lead going into the second half. He connected on a team-high of four three-pointers, all in the first half. He finished the game with 14 points.

“They really wanted to win this game,” Coach Whittler said in a post-game interview with the Maroon Tiger. “They came out and executed, and I am proud of these guys. After dropping games we probably shouldn’t have, the way they responded shows how resilient they are.”

Offense was not the only facet of the Maroon Tigers game that clicked for the team today. Defense was important to the team, as they forced a total of 18 turnovers. With the offense being able to make shots and the defense forcing turnovers, the Maroon Tigers would lead for the entirety of the game.

After the explosive first half by Taylor and Gray, the Maroon Tigers led by as much as 20 points in the second half with 13 minutes to go. However, the Maroon Tigers would allow the lead to slip away from them.

The Panthers resiliency brought the game back within single digits in the final minutes of the game. Luckily for the Maroon Tiger, a clutch steal from Brandon Peters helped the Maroon seal the game and spoil the Panthers second-half comeback.

“I want them to stay focused and do what we worked on in practice,” Coach Whittler said. “This is the rivalry game; you can be up 20 at one point and down five the next. These games are going to be tight like this every time, and I am glad in the end we earned the victory.”

As the Maroon Tigers move on to the next game, Coach Whittler wants the team to “stay focused” and not allow for this win to make the team overly confident. He wants the team to continue to work hard so they can keep winning games.

The Maroon Tigers improve to 10-10 on the season and will move on to face the Savannah State Tigers. The team will host the Tigers in Forbes Arena on Monday at 7 p.m.

Copy Edited by Rece Allen, Sports Editor