Gem City Sports Network

Marauders earn crucial conference win with 84-81 victory over rival Kentucky State

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Marauders earned a crucial victory in SIAC play with a 84-81 win over rival Kentucky State on Thursday night.

With the win, CSU improves to 10-14 overall with a 8-8 conference mark. KSU falls to 7-16 on the year with a 6-10 mark in the SIAC.

In a rivalry that dates back to 1949, senior forward Jeremy Brown seemed to feed of the energy of the home crowd early on, scoring his first two baskets off put backs and finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals in the opening half to lead the Marauders to a 42-33 advantage at intermission.

Early in the second half, CSU’s foul troubles began as Brown picked up his third personal and had to be taken out of the game. Usual contributors Charles Ruise and Chris Scott also battled through foul trouble and were forced to watch KSU fight back to tie the game, 52-52, at the 14:17 mark. Davone Daniels put CSU up by three on the next possession. Brown returned at the 12:26mark and scored back to back baskets. Ruise did the same when he returned to the competition at the 9:45 mark as CSU built their lead up to eight with 8:45 remaining. A good midrange jumper from Martin Oliver put CSU up by double-digits, 73-62, with 7:02 to play.

The CSU offense monetarily went cold, converting just 1 of 6 field goals over the span of the next three minutes. KSU took advantage and pulled within two points, 78-76, with 2:21 to go after a Ray Croon layup. CSU added free throws on its next two possessions to go up 81-76 with 27 seconds left. KSU’s Dattalion Battle kept his team in the game with a deep three-pointer to cut the deficit back down to two. After two Ruise free throws, Battle answered with two free throw makes at the other end. With 13 seconds left, Ruise was sent to the line again and converted 1 of 2 attempts. The CSU defenders successfully denied Battle the ball on KSU’s last possession and Dorian Jordan was forced to put up a contested shot that came up short as time expired.

Five CSU players reach double-digit scoring figures. Oliver led CSU with 17 points. Brown finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals. Barber III added 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Croon led KSU with a game-high 24 points. Battle finished with 22 points.
The teams will meet again on Saturday at 6:30 pm in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Notes
With Thursday’s results, CSU and KSU are now tied in the all-time series (55-55).

Thursday was the first time CSU has had five players scored in double-figures in one game this season.

CSU is currently in second place in the SIAC West Division. Lane leads the division with a 9-7 conference record.

Thursday was CSU’s final home game of the season.
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Lady Marauders top rival Kentucky State, 63-44

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Lady Marauders beat rival Kentucky State, 63-44, in SIAC play on Thursday night.

With the win, CSU improves to 18-5 overall and 12-3 in the SIAC. KSU drops to 7-16 on the year with a 6-9 mark in the conference.

Playing inside a sold out Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium, the teams played to a 12-12 tie after the first 10 minutes of play. Sparked by the outside shooting of forward Chavon Banks, CSU opened the second quarter on a 8-0 run and took a 29-22 lead by halftime.

KSU quickly erased the lead in the early stages of the third quarter as a Brittani Rizzi three-pointer capped off a 9-2 run. CSU managed to distance themselves again towards the end of the period with 8-0 run. Brooke Spaulding hit from beyond the arc to give CSU a 48-39 lead entering the fourth quarter.

CSU held KSU to just five points in the final frame while scoring 15 to ultimately cruise to a comfortable 19-points victory.

CSU forced 24 turnovers and outrebounded KSU, 47-38.

Spaulding led all players with 18 points. Banks finished with 13 points and 9 rebounds while Sierra Harley dished out 9 assists to go along with 9 points.

Wynter Webb led KSU with 11 points.

The teams will meet again on Saturday in Frankfort, Kentucky at 4:30 pm.

Notes
CSU is currently ranked No. 10 in the D2SIDA South Region Poll.

Sierra Harley’s nine assists are a new season-high for the senior guard.

CSU played the game without key players Destinee Russell and Jaeda Davis.

CSU is now 39-28 in the all-time series against KSU.