Lady Marauders Win Steak Ends

ATLANTA, Georgia – The Central State Lady Marauders suffered their first conference loss of the season, 85-81, to Clark Atlanta on Saturday.

The loss snaps a eight-game winning streak for the Lady Marauders, who fall to 9-3 overall and 4-1 in SIAC play. CAU improved to 6-5 on the season while remaining undefeated in the conference at 4-0.

CSU outscored CAU, 20-13, in the first quarter and took a 43-32 lead into intermission. CSU built their lead up to 13-points midway through the third quarter when leading scorer Takyra Gilbert went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury. With Gilbert sidelined, CAU cut the Lady Marauder lead down, 67-60, at the end of the third quarter. The Panthers took their first lead, 70-69, with a Marissa Mandeldove three-pointer with 6:54 to play. CAU did not look back from that point forward. CAU converted 8 of 10 free throws down the stretch en route to the victory.

CSU was outscored, 30-20, in points off turnovers. CAU also held a 15-9 edge in second chance points and a 18-6 advantage in fast break points.

CAU’s Naomi Holloway led all scorers with 27 points while grabbing 7 rebounds. Courtney Hall scored 14 points. Mandeldove finished with 13 points and 8 assists.

Despite her early exit, Gilbert led CSU in scoring with 16 points. Sierra Harley finished with 15 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds. Jaeda Davis recorded 15 points and a game-high 4 steals. Chervell Cox came off the bench to score 10 points.

The Lady Marauders will enter the holiday break before hosting Claflin on Dec. 30. Claflin is currently 7-6 overall with a 4-1 record in conference play.

Notes
CSU had previously been undefeated on the road (4-0).

Senior Sierra Harley eclipsed 250 rebounds for her career on Saturday. She is one assist away from 200 for her career.

Senior Destinee Russell grabbed her 300th career rebound on Saturday.

CSU leading scorer Takyra Gilbert went down with an injury midway through the third quarter and did not return to the game.

Gilbert, a transfer from Cincinnati State Community College, is the reigning SIAC Newcomer of the Week.

CSU has announced that free admission will be granted for games held on Dec. 30 and Jan. 1.

Next Game
Opponent: Claflin
Date: Saturday, December 30
Tip-Off: 1 pm
Location: Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium – Wilberforce, Ohio

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Marauders fall short in 71-68 loss to Clark Atlanta

ATLANTA, Georgia – A potential game-tying three-pointer at the end of the game fell short as the Central State Marauders lost to Clark Atlanta, 71-68, on Saturday night.

CAU improved to 10-1 overall with a 5-0 mark in the SIAC. CSU drops to 4-6 on the season and 3-2 in conference play.

With CAU up 17-12, CSU manufactured a 16-0 run capped off by a Chris Cook basket to give the Marauders a 28-17 lead midway through the first half. CSU maintained a healthy lead as Terence Gholston hit from beyond the arc to end the half with the Marauders taking a 41-32 lead into intermission.

After a Davone Daniels three-pointer gave CSU a 47-37 lead early in the second half, CAU responded with an 8-0 run to cut the CSU lead down to two. The Panther later took a 55-54 lead on a Jamal Pollydore basket with 11:29 to play. Daniels and Pollydore traded baskets as the teams were knotted up, 59-59, with 7:16 to play. CAU seized momentum with a 10-0 run capped off by a Pollydore three ball to give the Panthers a 69-59 lead with 3:53 left. The Marauder defense and CAU’s late struggles from the free throw line allowed CSU to cut the deficit down to 71-68. After a late turnover by Shelvick Henry, CSU gained possession with 5 seconds left. A three-point attempt from CSU’s Martin Oliver was off the mark as CAU hung on for the victory.

CAU outscored CSU in the paint, 36-10, and on the fast break, 18-2. The CSU reserves kept the Marauders in the game by outscoring the CAU bench, 34-18.

Pollydore led CAU with 18 points.

Daniels led all scorers with a season-high 23 points.

The Marauders road trip continues as CSU will play undefeated Morehouse on Monday. Morehouse is currently 9-0 overall with a 4-0 ledger in the SIAC.

Notes
Saturday marks the fourth time CSU has lost by single digits.

The loss drops CSU into a three-way tie for first place in the SIAC West Division.

Saturday was CSU’s first regular season game since Dec. 2. CSU played Eastern Michigan in an exhibition game on Dec. 9.

CAU entered Saturday ranked No. 10 in the D2SIDA South Region Poll.

Morehouse is currently ranked No. 5 in the D2SIDA South Region Poll.

Next Game
Opponent: Morehouse
Date: Monday, December 18
Tip-Off: 7 pm
Location: Forbes Arena – Atlanta, Georgia

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Wright State Grounds Rockets

–The Wright State men’s basketball team (7-4) went on the road and took care of business at Toledo with a 77-69 win.

Game Breakdown
First Half Highlights (33-34)
*Senior Grant Benzinger tied the game early with two free throws and a three after the Rockets took a 5-0 lead.
*At 16:30, Cole Gentry entered his first Raider game.
*Benzinger’s three at 1:37 tied the game as the Raiders stayed close and chipped away the UT lead.
*Benzinger led the Raiders with 13 points, including three threes.
*Mark Hughes had five points while Justin Mitchell ended the first period with four points and seven rebounds.
*All WSU players that saw time scored, including Gentry’s first points as a Raider on a jumper at 3:33.
*WSU shot 40% from the field, 35.7% from three and 66.7% from the line as Toledo shot 40%, 38.5% and 55.6%.
*WSU outrebounded UT 20-17 while the Rockets’ largest lead was 19-10 in the 13th minute.

Second Half Highlights (77-69)
*WSU took its first lead 39-37 on a Mitchell layup from Hughes at 17:40.
*The lead increased to five points off a three point play from Mitchell for his 11th point at 17:08.
*Everett Winchester made it a 7-0 on a layup.
*Mitchell finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds while Loudon Love had a strong second half to finish with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
*Benzinger had 18 points on four threes while Hughes ended with 10 points.
*Gentry’s Raider debut saw him collect seven points.
*WSU’s largest lead was 16 points at 63-47.
*WSU shot 42% from the field and 38% from three and forced 18 Rocket turnovers.

Key Numbers
*It was WSU’s second straight win over a MAC team as the Raiders were coming off a home win over Kent State.
*The Raider bench contributed 17 points while UT’s bench had 11 points.
*It was third straight win and seventh win of the last eight games for the Raiders.

Next Up
*The Raiders stay on the road to play at Missouri State Tuesday night.

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Lady Quakers Fall To Lions

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Earlham College women’s basketball team fell on the road Saturday afternoon in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play to Mount St. Joseph by a final score of 63-48.

Earlham’s offense was held to 29.3% shooting in the game as the Quakers made 17-58 field goal attempts.  Earlham’s bright spot offensively came from Zoe Curtis who led EC with a double-double.  Curtis scored a game-high 17 points and finished with 11 rebounds.  Curtis went 8-15 from the floor and grabbed seven offensive rebounds.  For the game Earlham outrebounded Mount St. Joseph 46-34.  Earlham also managed to pressure the Lions into 20 turnovers.

Mount St. Joseph was led Maddie Haberthy’s 17 points.  Lainee Studer finished in double figures with 16 points.

The loss dropped Earlham to 1-7, 1-3 HCAC.  The Lions of Mount St. Joseph moved to 6-3, 3-1 HCAC.  The Quakers will play again on Tuesday December 19 at Wilmington (Ohio).  Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.