Box Score CSU comes up short against PaineÂ
WILBERFORCE, Ohio – CSU was on the wrong end of a two point game for the second time in three nights as the Marauders fell to Paine, 67-65, in SIAC play on Saturday night.
After a disappointing 81-79 loss to Benedict on Thursday, CSU hoped to even its SIAC record to 1-1 against a struggling Paine team. All seemed to go as planned early on as the Marauders used a 10-2 run midway through the first half to take a 28-17 lead with 4:03 remaining. CSU maintained a double-digit lead until a three pointer from Paine's Denzel Dillingham at the buzzer cut the deficit to 7 at the break.
The Lions pounced on CSU's slow start to second half. Paine opened the second stanza with a 9-2 run while the Marauders were 0-4 in the first 3:30 minutes with 2 turnovers. With score knotted at 40-40 at the 16:32 mark, the teams continued to trade baskets. Paine finally claimed its first healthy lead of the contest thanks to a 7-0 run to take a 53-46 lead with 10 minutes to play. The Marauders eventually countered by chopping the lead down to 1 after two free throws from
Tom Johnson with 2:19 to go. After a string of converted free throws, Paine led by 3 with 16 seconds to go. Johnson would again sink two free throws on CSU's next possession to bring CSU back to within 1. After Dllingham split a pair of free throws on the other end, CSU's attempt to tie the game fell short as a
Tre' Edwards midrange shot hit off the front rim and out of the cylinder as time expired.
A deciding factor in the game was the battle at the free throw line. The Lions converted 24 of 37 attempts, including 8 of 10 in the final three minutes of Saturday's game to claim the victory. CSU struggled from the line, converting just 11 of 21 attempts.
Improving to 2-7 overall with a 1-1 conference mark, Paine was paced by Dillingham's game-high 27 points. Donald Quarles contributed to the victory with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
CSU (0-4;0-2) was led by 15 points from Edwards and 13 from
Hosie Smith Jr.Central State will attempt to end a 4-game losing streak on Monday when the team hosts Claflin University at 7:30 pm.
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