AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's men's basketball team erased a seven-point deficit in the final two minutes of Saturday's game and claimed a 71-69 win over in-state rival Wiley.
At HT's Branch Gymnasium, Isaiah Halliburton's fast-break layup off a steal from Nikolas "Tiki" Morin with four seconds remaining in the game capped a run of nine unanswered points by the Rams and gave the home team its first league win as a member program of the HBCU Athletic Conference.
The comeback effort could have been stymied in the final 22 seconds when the Rams sent Wiley's Shamir Mosley to the free throw line for a one-and-one chance with Wiley ahead 69-67. But Mosley missed the first attempt, which was rebounded by HT's Shannon Robinson. Robinson was fouled on the play by Shaquan Horsey, and went to the other end of the court to shoot free two free throws.
Robinson, who was only 2-of-6 from the free throw line prior to that point, sank the two free throws with ease to tie the game and eventually set up Halliburton's heroics. HT's Blake Fisher sealed the win when he blocked Mosley's game-tying attempt as time expired.
Halliburton led the Rams with 17 points in addition to handing out four assists and grabbing three steals. Malkeyce Harris scored 14 points for HT, while Ja'Patrick Blackmon chipped in 11 points off the HT bench.
Fisher and Kemondreon Cansler scored seven points for the Rams; Cansler also blocked seven shots in the game, which helped earn him the HBCUAC's Defensive Player of the Week award earlier this week. Robinson scored six points for HT.
Mosley scored a game-high 23 points for Wiley, while teammate Donovan Seamster chipped in 19 points for the visiting Wildcats.
The Rams return to action Thursday when they open the second half of HBCUAC divisional play at home against Southern–New Orleans. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at Branch Gymnasium, and will begin approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game between the two schools.
– HT –
