Morehouse Seniors Clinch No. 1 Seed in 2023 SIAC Basketball Tournament

The Morehouse College Maroon Tigers clinched the SIAC Eastern Division and have the No. 1 seed in the 2023 SIAC Basketball Tournament.

SI Editorial | Feb 26, 2023

Morehouse Seniors Clinch No. 1 Seed in 2023 SIAC Basketball Tournament /

ATLANTA, GA - The Morehouse College Maroon Tigers enjoyed their senior night celebration as they defeated Allen University Yellow Jackets 61-58 in their season finale.

Morehouse College Wins at the Buzzer — Ibn Williams (1) nails the game winner for Morehouse College at the buzzer over Allen.; Credit: Jay McCleod, Morehouse Athletics

The Morehouse Maroon Tigers (15-6) beat the Allen University Yellow Jackets (5-16) in a thriller as junior guard Ibn Williams launched a game-winning three-point shot from the corner to help the Maroon Tigers clinch the No. 1 seed in the SIAC East Division with the victory and 17-9 record.

2022-23 is the second-straight season the Maroon Tigers have clinched the first seed.

The Maroon Tigers' four seniors gave their thoughts on winning the Eastern Division and what it meant to be part of the team while at Morehouse College.

Senior Kerry Richardson has played a considerable role as their scoring leader throughout the season.

"Right now, we're headed in the right direction," Maroon Tiger forward Richardson said. "I feel good about it. I'll take anything we can get. It's been a good year."

Morehouse has the Stewart twins returning after missing most of the season due to injury. Elijah Stewart finished with 15 points, and Andrew Stewart added eight points.

"We feel really good right now with Coach Clay as the head man right now," Maroon Tiger guard Elijah Stewart mentioned. "I feel like we're flowing really good with him."

During their absence, the twins encouraged Williams and Richardson to score aggressively. They had the confidence in their teammates to deliver wins, and they proved they could do it.

The Maroon Tigers have had a lot of shoes to fill since the absence of head coach Whittler and the injuries of the Stewart twins. Nonetheless, the Maroon Tigers refused to let these hardships bring them down.

"We had trust in our teammates to score," senior guard Andrew Stewart said. "I believe we had the player of the year in Kerry Richardson and point guard of the year Ibn Williams. We just played off of them when we returned, and they made our jobs easier."

Morehouse has proven that seasons can come with unexpected risks, but preparation and trust can overcome these obstacles. After the nine-game win streak and defeating Allen, the Maroon Tigers face stiff competition in the 2023 SIAC Basketball Tournament.

The Maroon Tigers will travel to enemy territory and battle the Winner of Game 7 of the 2023 SIAC Basketball Tournament's opening rounds at Savannah State University's Tiger Arena for a 7:30 ET tip-off on March 1.

2023 TIAA SIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Seeding presented by Cricket

West Division

No. 1 Tuskegee (15-5)
No. 2 Miles (15-5)
No. 3 LeMoyne-Owen (13-7)
No. 4 Lane (12-8)
No. 5 Kentucky State (11-9)
No. 6 Spring Hill (6-14)
No. 7 Central State (5-15)

East Division

No. 1 Morehouse (15-6)
No. 2 Savannah State (14-7)
No. 3 Fort Valley State (12-9)
No. 4 Albany State (9-12)
No. 5 Clark Atlanta (8-13)
No. 6 Benedict (7-14)
No. 7 Edward Waters (7-14)
No. 8 Allen (5-16)

2023 TIAA SIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Final Seeding presented by Cricket

Related HBCU Legends Articles