OAKLAND, Calif. — In a thrilling matchup during the HBCU Classic held on Saturday, Kusame Draper delivered a standout performance with 22 points and 15 rebounds, leading Tuskegee University to a 68-55 victory over Morehouse College.
Kevin Sesberry also contributed significantly, scoring 19 points along with two steals, helping the Golden Tigers (11-12, 9-8 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) snap a three-game losing streak. This contest featured two Division II teams and took place as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend celebrations.
For Morehouse, Amahn Decker recorded 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds, with the Maroon Tigers (13-11, 10-6) entering the game after winning four of their last five outings.
The game unfolded at Oakland Arena, which was previously the home ground for the Golden State Warriors, located roughly 20 minutes from their current venue at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The atmosphere throughout the afternoon was vibrant, as fans frequently engaged in joyous singing and dancing.
Notable attendees included Martin Luther King Jr.’s son, who actively cheered and sang, while his late father is an alumnus of Morehouse. Renowned filmmaker Spike Lee was also spotted near the Morehouse bench, adding to the event’s rich cultural setting.
Tuskegee entered the match with a recent three-game losing streak but managed to shake off a sluggish start. Despite missing 15 of their first 21 shots, the Golden Tigers maintained a lead for most of the first half.
At the conclusion of the first period, Tuskegee finished strong with a 9-0 scoring run, leading 30-22. Sesberry led his team with 12 first-half points and Draper finished with four points during the run.
The Golden Tigers extended their advantage to as much as 14 points in the second half, ultimately cruising to a convincing win.
One key statistic was Morehouse’s struggle at the free-throw line, as they had difficulties converting, missing 13 of their 21 attempts from the charity stripe.
Looking ahead, Morehouse is set to host Edward Waters on Tuesday, while Tuskegee will take on Central State in their next game.
