CSU storms back from 21 down to beat Lemoyne-Owen in OT

Ra'Chaun Thompson provides lift with 3-point shooting

12/21/2014 1:10:00 AM

Box Score

Memphis, TN - Playing Lemoyne-Owen College for the second time this month, Central State used a late second half run to force overtime and escape Memphis with a 92-91 overtime win,

Early on, Lemoyne-Owen appeared poised to avenge a 70-63 loss to the Marauders on Dec. 9. The Magicians led throughout the first half, leading by 11 on three occasions. LOC played their way to a 45-34 advantage at half.

The Magicians continued to dictate the pace of play in the 2nd, opening the half on a 8-2 run. The LOC lead ballooned to 21 before the Marauders finally found some momentum with 13 minutes remaining thanks to the three point shooting of Ra'Chaun Thompson and the play of Masceo Harmon and Raheem Lemons. The three seniors combined for 16 points in a span of 4 minutes to chip away the Magician's lead down to 7.

After trading baskets on the next two possessions, the Marauders generated a 8-0 run to take a 75-74 lead on a Lemons layup with 3:24 left. Byron Ray scored for Lemoyne-Owen on the next trip down the floor to reclaim a 1 point edge. Marauder forward Jeremy Brown put CSU back up with a converted layup at the 2:06 mark. Timothy Ware answered back with two free throws. On CSU's next possession, Lemons kicked the ball out to Harmon who cashed in a 3-pointer to put CSU up 78-76. Ware delivered again for LOC, converting in the paint to tie the game. CSU's Thompson proved to be clutch on the team's next trip down the floor, converting from beyond the arc as CSU claimed a 81-78 lead with 26 seconds to go. Lemoyne-Owen went to Ware again, who provided the equalizing three with 13 seconds. With the ball and a chance to win the game, Harmon took a shot that was off the mark and corralled by forward Hosie Smith Jr., who was fouled on the play by Dequan Mitchell with 1 second left. Smith Jr. went on to miss both free throws as the two teams went into overtime.

In extra time, LOC jumped out to a 4 point lead with 38 seconds left before Thompson came up big for CSU again, converting his fourth three pointer of the night to cut the lead to 91-90 with 28 seconds left. Forced to foul, LOC's Ray missed both attempts from the line. After a immediate CSU timeout, the Marauders went to Lemons to score. Settling for a jumper, Lemons' attempt missed. Looking to redeem himself after his missed free throws at the end of regulation, Smith Jr. found a pathway to the errand Lemons shot attempt, scoring on the put back as time expired and giving CSU the 92-91 win.

"What an exciting game and a great Christmas present going into the holiday break," CSU head coach Joseph Price said. "We had a total team effort with a great contribution from Ra'Chaun Thompson tonight. He came off the bench and gave us the lift we needed. We were down by 21 but our guys never gave up. I am proud of the way they fought and executed the game plan down the stretch."

7 players scored in double figures for the Marauders (7-5). Harmon led the CSU scoring with 20 points along with a game-high 9 assists and 3 steals. Thompson scored a season high 17 points in 21 minutes of play. Lemons recorded his 6th double-double of the year with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Sterling Gilmore chipped in with 11 points followed by 10 from Brown. Smith Jr. scored 8 points, none bigger than the his last 2 of the game.

CSU is now idle until Jan. 8th when they open up G-MAC play at Alderson Broaddus.

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