Box Score CSU comes from behind late to earn first win of 2015
WILBERFORCE, Ohio – Central State used a late second half surge to earn their first win of 2015 in a 63-57 result against Claflin University on Monday night.
Entering the game with a winless 0-4 ledger, Central State trailed for the majority of the game. Falling down by as many as 12 with 7:32 left in the game, CSU finally put together its best string of plays in a 18-1 run sparked by the play of
Jeremy Brown,
Sterling Gilmore and
Tom Johnson.
Brown jumpstarted the run with a deep three pointer from the left side of the key. Johnson and Gilmore finished it as Johnson tied the game, 55-55 with a put back lay-up with 1:45 to go. After a Claflin turnover, Gilmore gave CSU its first lead with a floater just inside the free throw line. The two guards closed out the game from the line, going a combined 6 of 6 from the charity stripe in the final minute to lead the team to victory.
The trio of Brown, Johnson and Gilmore accounted for all 18 points on the Marauders late run and the team's final 22 points. A stunned Claflin team committed more turnovers (4) than converted field goals (2).
Gilmore set the pace for CSU with 16 points, including a perfect 10 of 10 performance from the free throw line. Brown finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Hosie Smith, Jr. kept the Marauders in the game early as he scored 9 of his 13 points in the first half. Smith also accumulated a game-high 10 rebounds in the win.
As a team, CSU shot a season best 79.2% from the line compared to Claflin's lackluster 52% conversion rate. The Marauders also capitalized on Claflin's miscues, scoring 21 points off of turnovers.
"Our guys played hard and kept fighting," said CSU Head Coach
Joseph Price. "After two straight losses on the final possession, our guys finally did what they needed to do to get over the hump and I am proud of how the responded to adversity tonight."
Claflin was held to their second lowest point total this season. Patrell Rogers and Adolph Caldwell accounted for 17 points apiece but no other Panther eclipsed double-figures as the team dropped to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in SIAC play.
Central State (1-4; 1-2) will have a week to prepare for their trip to play the West Liberty University. The Hilltoppers (5-0) are currently the top ranked team in the NCAA Div. II polls. The Marauders go for the upset next Wednesday at 7:30 pm.
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