Second Half Rally Helps Benedict Win Second Consecutive SIAC Men’s Basketball Title

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Marcus Goode was named 2013 SIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament MVP as the 6-10 senior All-American recorded a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead Benedict College to its second consecutive SIAC Men’s Basketball Championship with a 68-60 victory over Morehouse College Saturday evening at Forbes Arena.

Lamar Adkins added 15 points off the bench for the Tigers, who won their fourth tournament title since 2004 under head coach Fred Watson.

“We knew that they [Morehouse] were going to come out aggressive,” Watson said. “They are very well coach and know us very well and really challenged us in all phases of the game. I am happy to have a group of seniors that are self motivated and know how to get the job done.”

Andrae Nelson had 20 points to lead the Maroon Tigers, and was named to the All-Tournament team, as was Darrius Williams, who had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

While Morehouse applied pressure on SIAC Men’s Player of the Year Xavier Collier, the point guard managed to get his teammates involved by dishing a game-high nine assists to match his 10 points he scored. Rickie Jackson, who was named to the All-Conference team along with Goode, scored six points, but hit his 12th and 13th 3-point basket in the second half to help spark Benedict’s comeback.

Morehouse opened up the second half with a 9-3 run to take a 41-33 lead, getting the large home Morehouse crowd excited and forcing Watson to burn a quick time out. Senior Cassius Bell hit a jumper on the ensuing play, but Morehouse’s Shawn Allen responded with a jumper. Goode converted on a layup that would spark a 18-4 run by the Tigers.

A 3-pointer by Jackson cut the lead to three as Brenan Reynard hit back-to-back baskets to give Benedict the 46-45 lead with 11:01 to play. An Adkins jumper gave Benedict the lead for good, 48-47, with 10:17 to play, and he followed by hitting a 3-pointer on the next possession.

Benedict had a 61-53 lead with 2:27 left, but Morehouse got a 3-pointer from Austin Anderson and a jumper from Nelson to make it 61-58 with 1:43 left to play. Over the next minute, Benedict missed one field goal and two free throws, while Morehouse missed two field goals. Adkins snapped the scoring drought by sinking two critical free throws with .38 second remaining in the game to put the Tigers ahead 63-58.

Morehouse cut the lead to 65-60 with .18 seconds left on a jumper by Williams, but Adkins sank two more free throws with .16 seconds left to secure the victory.

Joining Goode, Jackson, Nelson, and Williams on the All-Tournament team was Tuskegee guard Calvin Thomas, who averaged 16 points in two tournament games for the Golden Tigers.

2013 SIAC Men’s Basketball Champions: Benedict College Tigers
2013 SIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Runners Up: Morehouse College Maroon Tigers

2013 SIAC Men’s All-Tournament Team

Name Position Class School
Darrius Williams Forward Junior Morehouse
Ricky Jackson Guard Senior Benedict
Andrae Nelson    Forward/Center Senior Morehouse
Marcus Goode    Center Senior Benedict
Calvin Thomas   Guard Senior Tuskegee
2013 SIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Most Valuable Player
Marcus Goode, Benedict

2013 SIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Coach
Fred Watson, Benedict

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