November 20, 2007 – ATLANTA – Forward Jason Reese poured in a career-high 23 points, to lead Morehouse to a 75-61 win over Claflin University.
The win moves Morehouse to 3-0 and the best start in four years. Claflin, the Orangeburg, SC school that will join the SIAC next year, had beaten Paine on Saturday by 28 points. They fell to 1-1 on the season.
All the Morehouse points were scored by the starters who each logged about 34 minutes. Seven players came off the bench, but had little impact, shooting a collective 0-4.
Morehouse led most of the game, though rarely by more than 10 points.
In a rare twist of stats, the Maroon Tigers shot higher from the field (59%) than from the free-throw line (54%) and center Kenney Boyd had more assists (6) than point guard Travis Floyd (5).
Forward Jerry Felder fueled the free-throw futility, going 0-5 from the line. But he countered by shooting 6-of-6 from the field and finishing with 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks.
Reese, a 6’-3” senior hit 7-of-13 shots from the field and 9-of-13 free throws to lead all scorers. He also pulled down seven rebounds, handed out five assists and grabbed two steals, on the way to his best performance at the ‘House.
The Greenville, GA native, who transferred from Wallace Community College last season, averaged less than six points in ’06-07. Already this season, Reese is averaging 20.7 points and is the team leading scorer.
Junior transfer Travis Floyd had his second consecutive big game, with 15 points, five assists and three rebounds. More importantly, the shifty ball handler orchestrated an effective half-court offense and repeatedly beat an aggressive half court trap by the Panthers.
Likewise for Brenden Stoner. The 6’-4” senior from Philadelphia, hit 7-of-10 shots from the field, for 17 points, to go with two rebounds and two steals. Boyd led all players with 13 rebounds, to go with eight points.
Karl Ray (15 pts.) and Phillip Brown (10 pts.) paced the Panthers and were the only Claflin players to score in double figures.
Morehouse will play Claflin on their home court a week from today and will return to Forbes Arena to face Stillman, Saturday, December 1, at 3 p.m.
