SUMTER, S.C. (Oct. 31, 2026) – The Voorhees University men's basketball team bounced back in impressive fashion Saturday afternoon, earning an 84-70 road victory over Morris College behind an efficient offensive performance and a balanced scoring attack.
After dropping their season opener Friday evening, the Tigers responded with determination, shooting an outstanding 62.8 percent from the field while placing eight players in the scoring column to secure their first victory of the 2026-27 season under head coach Derrick Mitchell.
Ry'Darius Hill led the Tigers with a game-high 17 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the floor and adding five rebounds.
Timothy Smith provided a major spark off the bench, finishing with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including three 3-pointers.
Voorhees also received nine points apiece from
Gabriel Wright and
Ty'Xavier Hall, while
Jermarquis Johnson contributed eight points.
Shannon Jones,
Syris Williams and
Thierry Ngo each chipped in seven points.
First Half: Tigers Establish Early Momentum
Morris College opened the contest with an early 5-0 advantage before Voorhees responded with a 9-0 run, highlighted by five points from Smith.
The opening half featured several momentum swings as both teams battled for control. Morris briefly regained the lead midway through the period, but the Tigers answered with timely baskets and defensive stops.
Smith delivered 12 first-half points, connecting on all five of his field-goal attempts, including two shots from beyond the arc. Ngo added seven points to help Voorhees build a 36-30 advantage heading into halftime.
The Tigers shot an impressive 61.1 percent from the floor during the opening 20 minutes.
Second Half: Voorhees Pulls Away
Voorhees came out of the locker room with renewed energy, quickly extending its six-point halftime advantage.
Hill took control offensively, scoring 13 of his 17 points in the second half. The Tigers opened the period with a strong offensive push, building a 51-36 lead with just under 16 minutes remaining.
Voorhees continued to attack the basket and capitalize on its scoring opportunities, eventually stretching its advantage to a game-high 18 points at 70-52 with 7:13 remaining.
Morris attempted to rally down the stretch, trimming the deficit to 10 points, but the Tigers maintained their composure and made key plays to preserve the victory.
Voorhees outscored Morris 48-40 in the second half while shooting 64 percent from the field and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line during the final 20 minutes.
By the Numbers
The Tigers delivered one of their strongest offensive performances of the young season, finishing with several impressive team statistics:
- 62.8 percent field-goal shooting: 27-of-43 from the floor.
- 57.1 percent from three-point range: 4-of-7 shooting.
- 42 points in the paint: Compared to 24 for Morris.
- 41 bench points: Highlighting the Tigers' depth and offensive contributions.
- 48 second-half points: Helping Voorhees pull away for the victory.
- 10 turnovers: The Tigers protected the basketball while forcing 15 Morris turnovers.
Morris College was led by Ahmari Samuel and Kameron Rodriquez, who finished with 12 points apiece. Jordan Gary added 11 points, while Julian Miller collected a game-high 12 rebounds.
A Strong Response
Saturday's victory showcased the Tigers' offensive efficiency, depth and ability to respond following a difficult season-opening defeat.
With multiple players contributing and the team executing effectively on both ends of the floor, Voorhees demonstrated the potential of its roster as the 2026-27 campaign continues.
The Tigers will look to build on Saturday's performance and carry the momentum into their upcoming contests.
Follow the Tigers: Stay connected with Voorhees University Athletics at
voorheesathletics.com for the latest men's basketball news, schedules, scores and updates.
