February 9, 2006 – COLUMBIA, SC – With team scoring leader Brandon Childs sidelined with the flu, the Maroon Tigers could have just thrown in the towel against the conference-leading Benedict Tigers. But a young and feisty Morehouse team put up a fight until the final buzzer, only to fall short 71-61.

The third road game in four days took its toll on a weary-legged Morehouse team who could hit only 17-of-58 shots from the floor, against a taller Benedict team comprised of seniors and juniors.

Benedict, which has beaten Morehouse the last five games, moved to 15-4 (15-1 SIAC). Morehouse dipped to 12-10 (9-8 SIAC).

Will Belton led the Maroon Tigers in scoring with 18 points, three assists and five steals and Peter Price added 10 points, to go with a team-high seven rebounds.

In the absence of Childs, freshman Paul Williams got extended playing time and made good use of it, hitting 3-of-5 three-pointers for nine points. The 5’-10” guard from Atlanta’s West Lake High School, shared the point guard duties with another freshman Chasmond Jones who recorded two points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Edward Pollard came off the bench to make a solid contribution, throwing in 10 points and pulling down 5 rebounds.

Unlike in Tuesday’s loss at Fort Valley, when the Maroon Tigers shot only 50 percent from the line, free-throw shooting was not the enemy against Benedict. The Maroon Tigers hit all 11 free throws in the first half. Led by Belton and Pollard who each hit 4-of-5 free throws, the Maroon Tigers shot 78 percent for the entire game – well above the season average.

Morehouse got a combined eight points and four rebounds from the usually reliable center James Beasley and forward Jason Patterson.

Even without Childs, who averages 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds, the game was close throughout. Down 33-31 at halftime, the Maroon Tigers kept clawing and were within four points with 1:30 left in the game. With Morehouse forced to foul to stop the clock, a veteran Benedict team made the Maroon Tigers pay, hitting 6-of-6 free throws in the final minute-and-a-half.

Taiwan Byrd led the way for Benedict with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

After a long road trip, one bit of good news is that the next game is five days away, when the Fort Valley State Wildcats visit Forbes Arena for a 7:30 p.m. game.