By Kyle T. Mosley
The 2025 NBA HBCU Classic featured the Tuskegee Golden Tigers, who defeated the Morehouse Maroon Tigers, 68-55, at the Oakland Arena. 19,596 spectators witnessed one of the HBCU basketball’s oldest rivalries that’s been around since 1913.
Oakland has lost a lot of sports over the past six years.
The Warriors took the bridge across the Bay. The Raiders skipped town entirely, fleeing to Las Vegas. The A’s moved to Sacramento and also have made plans to leave the state.
But Oakland still has a lot of love for basketball. Never was that clearer than on Saturday at Oakland Arena, which welcomed Morehouse College and Tuskegee University for the fourth annual NBA HBCU Classic.
The tradition is still new, but it’ll be tough to top this year’s edition. In an atmosphere that resembled the best kind of impromptu party, Tuskegee beat Morehouse 68-55.
Tuskegee’s Kusamae Draper had a double-double, scoring a game-high 22 points and 15 rebounds in a dominating victory.
The Golden Tigers had two players join Draper in double figures. Kevin Sesberry scored 19 points, grabbed four rebounds, and made two steals. Guard D’Anthony Pennington scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and recorded three steals, hitting a crucial three-pointer in the final minutes to seal the game for Tuskegee.
The NBA All-Star Weekend was filled with HBCU vibes in the arena as celebrities like Spike Lee, Jennifer Hudson, Common, and MC Hammer watched the Golden Tigers fend off a late rally by the Maroon Tigers.
Tuskegee led 30-22 at intermission by holding the lead for over 14 of the 20 minutes in the first half.
One of the key points for Tuskegee’s victory was the Maroon Tigers’ struggles from the free throw line. Morehouse made a paltry 8 of 21 attempts in the game for 38.1% compared to the Golden Tigers’ 68.4%.
Tuskegee was efficient while shooting 40.7% from the floor and 43.8% beyond the arc. Their opponent from the AUC shot 38.9% from the field and just 21.7% from three-point range.
Morehouse College reserves kept them in the contest, scoring 22 bench points compared to 4 by Tuskegee. The Golden Tigers outrebounded Morehouse 41-36 and bested them with 14 to the Maroon Tigers’ 16 turnovers.
Sincere Key scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Maroon Tigers. Amahn Decket nearly achieved a double-double, contributing 10 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
The Golden Tigers finished with a record of 11-12 overall and 9-8 in the SIAC, while the Maroon Tigers ended with a record of 13-12 and 10-7 in the SIAC.