Marroon Tigers Stop Rollins Saturday.

The Morehouse Marron Tigers (2-0) handed the Rollins Tars their first loss of the season 76-72 at the SSC/SIAC crossover Saturday night.  With the win by Morehouse, for the first team in the three years of the tournament the SIAC bested the SSC.  Florida Tech lost to both Morehouse and Clark-Atlanta-while Rollins split with the two.
  Morehouse was paced by a 22 point effort from Duby Maduegbunam- Martravious Little had 17- while Tyrius Walker added 13. The Marroon Tigers shot 48 percent as a team- they shot 36 percent (9-25) from the 3-point line.  They shot at a 69 percent clip (11-16) from the free throw line.  They had 17 assists and 12 turnovers.  Morehouse won the rebounding battle 35-34.  They also blocked 10 shots, including six by Omar Alston.
  The Tars were led by a trio of players in double figures.  Jeff Merton led the way with 21 points- Connor McKim added 13- while Jakobi Bonner netted 11.  The Tars shot 43 percent as a team. They shot 43 percent (9-21) from the 3-point line.   They were a solid 85 percent (11-13) from the free throw line.  The Tars had 16 assists and 15 turnovers.
  Both team came out flat to start the game. It was not until a Little 3-pointer that either team would find the basket.  After a sluggish start the Tars would erase a early five point deficit on a McKim 3-pointer and a free throw by Eric Castaneda knotted the game at 14 at the 11:01 mark of the opening stanza.  After a Morehouse free throw the Tars would get another 3-pointer from McKim that would give them a two point lead (17-15) at the 9:17 mark.  The Tars lead would grow to as many as five (25-20) with just under six minutes left in the half.  The Tars would lead by three (33-30) a few minutes later but a couple unforced Rollins turnovers led to a 7-0 run by the Marroon Tigers to give them a four point (37-33) halftime lead.
  The game turned into a see-saw affair in the second half. It would have five ties and four lead changes in the first 10 minutes of the second half.  After trailing by one (52-51) the Tars looked to be in control when they went on a 7-0 run to take a six point lead (58-52) with 9:35 to play. The Marroon Tigers would battle back again though.  They would eventually take a three point lead (65-62) after a Madeugbanam 3-pointer at the 3:21 mark.  Then the two teams would trade 3-point baskets the next four trips down the court.  The Tars looked to be in deep trouble down by seven (75-68) with 1:32 to go, but they would not go down without a fight.  Clark and Merton would each hit a pair of free throws and the Tars were within three (75-72) with the ball.  They would have a pair of chances to tie it up but Merton would not be able to hit the contested 3-pointer and Morehouse would come up with the victory.
  The Tars will be back in action on Wednesday night when they take on Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach. Tip time is set for 7:30 PM. You can catch all the action on the Geico Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com and on 91.5 FM WPRK Winter Park.