Box Score

CSU reserves give spark in 89-81 win over Slippery Rock

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – Opening the first four games of the year on the road, the Central State women's basketball team finally played on their home floor and were successful with an 89-81 victory over Slippery Rock University.

The shooters of Slippery Rock quickly got into a rhythm early, hitting four 3-pointers and shooting over 60% from the field in early going to take a 29-15 lead at the end of the opening quarter. Slippery Rock maintained a comfortable lead until midway through the 2^nd quarter. With CSU reserves Shannon DeFoe, LaKayra Carlisle, Ashley Dennis, Mustafa Notter, and Kayla Horn on the floor, CSU went on an 11-0 run to take 37-34 with 1:52 remaining. Free throws from Slippery Rock's Erica Aiello brought the score to 37-36 at the break.

"I was proud of the way our ladies kept fighting even when things didn't go our way in the first ten minutes of the game," said CSU Head Coach Sheba Harris. "We didn't quit and our bench was a huge factor in the outcome of the game."

CSU manufactured another run early in the 3^rd quarter as back-to-back three pointers from Carlisle gave CSU a 52-42 lead with 5:11 to go in the period. The teams went back and forth trading baskets with CSU maintaining a 63-53 lead going into the final quarter.

Slippery Rock slowly chipped away at the CSU lead to open the fourth, narrowing the gap to 3 with 4:01 remaining. 6'2 forward Kourtni Perry answered for the Lady Marauders with 6 straight points to put her team up 75-68 with 2:11 left on the clock. Defoe extended the lead to 79-70 with 1:20 to go. Slippery Rock refused to go away without a fight as Lexi Carpenter converted a 4-point play after an ill-advised CSU foul to bring her team within 3 with 39 seconds remaining. It would become a free throw competition with DeFoe hitting the final three from the line to give CSU the 8 point victory.

"It was a good win against a very talented team," Harris said. "Our ladies really showed toughness and determination this afternoon. It is a nice confidence builder as we head into conference play next week."

Perry led CSU with 18 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Carlisle finished with 14 points and Defoe had 13 to lead a CSU bench that combined for 44 points compared to just 16 from Slippery Rock.

Slippery Rock's Carpenter finished with a game high 23 points but it was not enough as her team fell to 4-3 on the season.

Improving to 2-3 overall, the Lady Marauders host Benedict College this Thursday at 5:30 pm. Fans can watch the game on the Marauder Sports Streaming Channel.