January 29, 2009 – ATLANTA – Morehouse let an 11-point second-half lead slip away and lost to the Clark Atlanta Panthers, 79-77, before nearly 6,000 screaming fans.
Leading by as many 13 in the first half, the Maroon Tigers enjoyed a 40-29 halftime lead. The game seemed well in control until the 14-minute mark of the second half. That’s when the Maroon Tigers committed a series of fouls and turnovers and the double-digit lead evaporated within a four-minute stretch.
The Maroon Tigers turned the ball over 15 times, compared to seven for the Panthers, who converted the freebies into a 21-11 points-off-turnovers advantage. Morehouse fell to 4-11 (2-10 SIAC).
It was the third straight loss to the cross-campus rivals who won both games last season. In the second of those games, CAU came back from a 21–point deficit, with 10 minutes remaining.
Shooting the highest percentage this season (.563), four Maroon Tigers scored in double figures.
Center Kenney Boyd hit 9-of-11 shots and scored a game-high 22 points. He also pulled down seven rebounds and handed out a game-high five assists.
After missing eight games, guard Travis Floyd returned to the Morehouse lineup and had a huge impact. The senior from Atlanta, hit 5-of-8 shots, including three from beyond the arc, for 14 points.
Jelani Figures came off the bench for a solid 23 minutes and his highest scoring total as a Maroon Tiger. The sophomore from Mobile, AL hit 3-of-3 shots from the field and 6-of-9 free throws, for 18 points, to go with seven rebounds. His previous career high was 12 points against Miles, on January 10.
Still working his way back into shape, after missing four games with an ankle injury, Larry Diamond scored 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting.
Power forward J.P. Felder scored a season-low six points, but had a team-high eight rebounds.
Kevin Johnson led four Panthers who scored in double figures. Center Garry Beverly had 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. CAU moved to 10-6 (8-5 SIAC).
A rematch is set for Saturday, February 14, at 2 p.m.
Morehouse will take on the Golden Rams of Albany State, Saturday, at 3 p.m., in Forbes Arena.
