February 14, 2009 – ATLANTA, GA – Jelani Figures came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points and propel Morehouse to a 77-64 win over the Clark Atlanta Panthers.

It wasn’t exactly a St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, but it was a convincing win in a heated, long-standing rivalry.

Morehouse led most of the way and snapped a three-game losing streak against the cross-campus rivals. Despite allowing CAU to close the gap, the Maroon Tiger never relinquished the lead and refused to fold down the stretch.

Morehouse improved to 7-15 (5-14 SIAC).

Figures, a sophomore guard from Mobile, AL, hit 4-of-9 shots from the field and 7-of-7 free throws. His 15 points surpassed his previous high of 13 points set against CAU on January 29.

Figures’ two-handed dunk, off of an assist by Travis Floyd, brought the Morehouse fans to their feet and broke the back of a late rally by the Panthers. Figures grabbed seven boards to tie for team-high rebounding honors with teammate Joshiah Anabraba.

The two keys to victory were the 31-5 Morehouse bench-scoring advantage and, for the second time this season, the Maroon Tigers had fewer turnovers than an opponent – 14-16.

In addition to the 15 points by Figures, Anabraba and Travis Floyd contributed valuable energy and points off the bench.

Floyd chipped in eight points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Anabraba chipped in eight points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Anabraba recorded six points and five rebounds in the first half and led the Tigers to a 43-31 halftime lead.

Kenney Boyd tied Figures for team-high scoring honors, with 15 points. The all-star center hit 5-of-7 from the field and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. In addition to five rebounds, Boyd demonstrated a keen eye and quick hands with accurate passes inside that led to four assists.

Larry Diamond registered 10 points, two assists and two rebounds. Roderick Williams hit 4-of-4 shots for nine points, to go with six rebounds and three assists. J.P. Felder, playing in foul trouble most of the second half, scored six points and pulled four rebounds. Paul Williams chipped in six points.

Four Panthers scored in double figures, led by Irvin Johnson, who hit 4-of-5 three pointers for a game-high 16 points. CAU fell to 13-9 (11-8 SIAC).

Morehouse will travel to Tuskegee, Monday to play the Golden Tigers at 7:30 p.m. Morehouse beat Tuskegee, 67-63, in the last meeting at Forbes, on January 24.