ROCK HILL, S.C. –
Randy McClure scored 11 of his 15 points in the first half to lead a charge and help lead the Golden Rams to a 57-55 victory over Morehouse College in the semifinals round of the 2020 SIAC Basketball Tournament at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center on Friday night.
The Eastern Division Champions the Golden Rams, now 17-13 overall, advance to take the Championship game where they will face the Golden Bears of Miles College at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Kamil Brown added 13 points, seven coming in the second half, for the Golden Rams.
Napoleon Harris had 10 points and six rebounds.
Joshua Jerome contributed eight points with one rebound. McClure finished the contest with a double-double performance with 15 points and 16 rebounds respectively.
Morehouse jumped out to a quick 10-7 lead, but the Golden Rams answered with taking a 16-13 lead with 9:22 left in the first half. The game stayed close the rest of the way, with Albany State pulling ahead 28-27 at the halftime break.
The Maroon Tigers came out adding points early in the second half to take a 39-36 lead with 13:28 remaining in the game.
Joshua Jerome secured a 3-pointer with 12:36 left in the contest to put the Golden tie the game 39 all. Morehouse then went on a 5-0 run to take a 44-39 lead. The Golden Rams collected a layup by
Napoleon Harris to cut MHC's lead 48-43 with 7:20 left in the game. The Golden Rams then secured a 3-pointer by
Joshua Jerome to bring the score to 52-all. The Maroon Tigers when secured a basket and one to edge the Golden Rams 55-52 with 00:58 seconds left to play. Two free throws and a 3-pointer by
Kamil Brown secured the 57-55 victory for Albany State.
Robert Andrews led the Maroon Tigers with 12 points, while Kairo Whitfield added 11 points.
Albany State shot 42 percent from the floor, while holding Morehouse to 38 percent shooting. The Maroon Tigers had a dominating 40-28 advantage in rebounding.
The Eastern Division Champions the Golden Rams, now 17-13 overall, advance to the Championship game where they will face the Golden Bears of Miles College at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
