January 28, 2006 – TUSKEGEE, Al. – One way for an above-par team to get a win and some confidence is to play a struggling team. That was the exact scenario Saturday, when the 9-8 Maroon Tigers defeated the winless Tuskegee Golden Tigers, 73-63.

The game was closer than the score indicates. After leading by only one at halftime, victory wasn’t secured until two free throws by Brandon Childs broke a 52-52 tie and put the Maroon Tigers ahead for good with less than nine minutes remaining. The free throws ignited a 12-2 scoring drive that sent the 2,200 Golden Tigers fans packing. The loss dropped Tuskegee to 0-17 for the season.

Childs topped all scorers with 21 points. The senior from Conyers, Ga. has become the third-leading scorer in the SIAC, with an 18.4 points-per-game average. Childs also recorded four rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Coach Grady Brewer got balanced, double-digit scoring from four Maroon Tigers. Along with Childs, Jason Patterson (15 pts.), Peter Price (12 pts.), and Khalid Shabazz (10pts) did most of the scoring.

One key to the Morehouse victory was superior bench play. The Maroon Tiger subs outscored the Golden Tiger subs 21-6. Shabazz, a key reserve who is showing the increased confidence that comes with more playing time, had a third big game in a row, pulling down six second-half rebounds. Edward Pollard came off the bench to score nine points.

Another key to victory was free-throw shooting. The Maroon Tigers hit 15-of-20 for the season’s third best showing.

Eric Wilson led Tuskegee, with 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Maurice Stewart and Lionel Miller combined for 30 points and 20 rebounds.

Morehouse will play Clark Atlanta Thursday at 7 p.m. in a game to be televised by ESPNU.