Box Score Central State struggles down the stretch in 71-65 loss to TuskegeeTUSKEGEE, Alabama – Coming off a big road win over Miles, Central State fell, 71-65, in a back-and-forth contest to Tuskegee University on Saturday night.
The Marauders opened up the game on a 12-4 run sparked by five points from Sean Cassidy, Jr. Tuskegee answered back with a 9-0 run to claim a 13-12 lead at the 8:55 mark of the first half. Out of a timeout, CSU's
Akil Cornish answered with a three pointer to put CSU back up 15-13. The teams went back and forth trading baskets until Daniel Roach scored 6 straight points for Tuskegee to help the Tigers take a 35-30 lead into halftime.
Cassidy, Jr. and Cornish combined for 20 points in the first half. No other Marauder had more than two points in the opening 20 minutes of play.
TU built their lead up, 40-32, before CSU manufactured a 7-0 run as two free throws from
Tom Johnson narrowed the gap to 40-39 with 15:27 to go. The teams continued to battle back and forth as neither team led by more than two going into the final five minutes of play. With the score tied 56-56, James Eads put Tuskegee up, 59-56, with a deep three pointer.
Tre' Edwards responded with back-to-back three balls for CSU to put the Marauders up, 62-59, with 4:23 left on the clock.
After a TU timeout, Kevin May hit from the perimeter to the tie the game up, 62-62, at the 3:34 mark. TU took the lead on its next possession as Eads made both free throws to put his team up two. CSU was unable to mount a response as the Marauders made just one field goal in the final 3 minutes while the Tigers converted 7 of 8 free throws to help seal the six point victory.
The Tigers used a 16-7 edge in second chance points to help seize Saturday nights victory.
Eads led all scorers with 23 points as his team improved to 8-5 overall with a 4-2 ledger in SIAC play.
Â
Edwards and Cassidy, Jr., each finished with 13 points to pace the CSU scoring. With the loss, the Marauders fell to 5-7 on the season and stand 5-4 in the conference standings.
The Marauders will try to rebound on Monday when they travel to play conference leading Stillman College (9-5; 5-1).
Â
