Box Score Wilberforce, OH - After being upset by Ohio Valley on Thursday, Central State came out sluggish before finding the necessary energy late in the game to go on and beat Salem International 70-64 on Saturday.
Earning the narrow victory, CSU improves to 17-10 overall with a 9-4 mark in the G-MAC. They sit 1-game back of Alderson Broaddus for the top spot with a game remaining against Cedarville. Salem International fell to 3-19 on the season with a 1-11 ledger in conference play.
CSU leading scorer Masceo Harmon, who sat out during Thursday's loss, struggled to find his shot throughout the first half, converting just 1 of 8 shot attempts. As a team, CSU was just 11 of 35 from the field in the first as they clung to a 32-29 lead at halftime.
"We just came out very lackadaisical and it showed on the scoreboard," CSU coach Joseph Price said. "We are not good enough to take any team lightly and that is exactly what our guys did tonight and Salem International made us pay for most of the game." The Marauders were able to find their shooting mark early on in the second, opening the half with 10-2 run to take a 42-31 lead. The Tigers kept CSU within striking distance. A 7-0 Salem International run cut the Marauder lead down to just 1 with 5:21 to go. A layup by David Atkinson gave the Tigers a 56-55 lead with 5:01 to play. CSU big man Raheem Lemons responded with baskets on the next two possessions, including a crowd energizing dunk to put CSU up 59-56 with 3:53 remaining. On the next play, Harmon stole the ball and dished it off to Tre' Edwards who scored to extend the lead to 5. SIU never recovered as CSU converted 7 of is last 8 free throws to seal the victory.
"It was a frustrating night for us," Price said. "We just did not have enough guys play hard. I give Salem International a ton of credit for coming in and playing us tough. I hope this will serve as motivation for our guys to compete and play harder from this point forward."
Lemons led all players with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Harmon finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds and a season high 8 steals. Edwards went 5 for 7 from the field and recorded 11 points and 6 steals.
Tyler Bell led all SIU players with 14 points.
The Marauders conclude the season next Saturday when they host Cedarville. CSU will honor its seniors prior to the 4 pm tip.
