Morehouse College ended a 23-year championship drought Saturday night, defeating Tuskegee University 66-56 to capture the 2026 SIAC men’s basketball tournament title at the Clayton County Convocation Center near Atlanta.

The victory marks the first conference championship for the Maroon Tigers since 2003 and provides first-year head coach Larry Dixon with a signature win in his inaugural season. Morehouse improves to 22-9 overall and secures the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Sophomore forward Josiah Lawson earned Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after leading all scorers with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Lawson was a primary catalyst for an efficient Morehouse offense that shot 48 percent from the field and connected on 10 three-pointers. He was supported by Sincere Moore, a junior guard, who tallied 11 points, while senior guards JerMontae Hill and Sincere Key each contributed 10 points in the win.

The contest began with Tuskegee jumping out to a quick 8-0 lead, but Morehouse responded by settling into its defensive pressure and perimeter rhythm. Key sparked the comeback to tie the game at 10-10 before the Maroon Tigers orchestrated a decisive 26-6 run. By halftime, Morehouse held a 33-24 lead, aided significantly by a bench unit that outscored the Tuskegee reserves 31-9 in the opening period.

The defensive effort from Morehouse remained consistent throughout the night, holding the Golden Tigers to 35.8 percent shooting from the floor and a 23.8 percent mark from beyond the arc. 

In the second half, the Maroon Tigers extended their advantage to as many as 17 points. Although Tuskegee made a late push to trim the deficit to nine following a Wright layup with just over six minutes remaining, Morehouse utilized deliberate clock management and stout interior defense to maintain control. Morehouse held the lead for more than 31 minutes of the contest.

The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Selection Show streams live at 11 p.m., Sunday, March 8.