Box Score February 13, 2018 – ATLANTA – The good news is that Morehouse moved up in the polls, then went out and beat the Livingstone College Blue Bears, 77-53. The bad news is that Martravious Little suffered a leg injury in the Clark Atlanta game and will be lost for the season.
An MRI revealed that Little, one of the team's co-captains, suffered a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus, in last week's triple overtime win over Clark Atlanta. One of the team's spiritual leaders and the second-leading scorer, at 12.6 points per game, Little could only cheer from the bench, wearing a suit and tie and clinging to crutches.
After a couple of ties and lead changes early in the first half, there was little doubt about this game's outcome. Morehouse surged to a 30-20 halftime lead and poured it on in the second period. The Maroon Tigers came out of the locker room on fire, forcing turnovers that led to easy baskets early in the second half. The lead quickly ballooned to 20 points and it was mostly downhill from there.
Morehouse improved to 21-1; 15-1 SIAC. Livingstone slipped to 8-11 6-6 CIAA.
For the first time this season, James Walker led Morehouse in scoring. Playing only 16 minutes, Walker hit 6 of 10 shots, from the field, and all four of his free throws, for a game-high 17 points. He added five rebounds and three steals, against the Blue Bears, who fell to 8-11; 6-6 CIAA.
Tyrius Walker, the SIAC's leading scorer at 23.5 ppg, hit half of his 10 shots and two free throws, for 12 points. Walker added to his all-around solid game, with six rebounds, four steals and three assists.
Taking up some of the slack from the loss of Little, Michael Olmert had another stellar game. The crafty, ball-handling point guard hit 3 of 5 shots and all four of his free throws, for 11 points. To that, he added a game-high seven rebounds and a game-high seven assists – one more than the Blue Bears, who posted six assists.
Starting for the first time this season, Tremell Gooden played a season-high 22 minutes – up from his average of 12 minutes. Gooden took advantage of the extra playing time with his best game. He posted six points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Omar Alston chipped in eight points, five rebounds, three steals and an assist.
Also playing extended minutes, Tony Evans started for the fourth time this season and contributed nine points, two blocks and a steal.
Only one Blue Bear posted double figure. Roger Ray put up 11 points. Cameron Burhannon scored eight points, four rebounds and two steals.
Following wins over Benedict and Clark Atlanta, Morehouse moved up from #19 to #11 in the D2SIDA national poll. In the D2SIDA South Region poll, the Maroon Tigers rose from #4 to #2. Morehouse held steady in the NABC poll at #11.
The Maroon Tigers return to action, Saturday, at 3 p.m., when the Albany State Golden Rams visit Forbes Arena.
That game is free and open to the public.
All Morehouse home games are web-streamed, at http://www.themmtechno.com.mh.htm.
