Box Score Central State Marauders storm back to beat Benedict, 76-70
AKRON, Ohio - Playing in the Fame City Classic in Akron, Ohio, the Central State Marauders erased a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat Benedict College, 76-70, on Saturday.
A preseason pick to finish first in the SIAC East Division, Benedict opened the game on a 13-3 run. The Marauders answered with a 10-0 run capped off by a
Jeremy Brown dunk to tie the game, 13-13, at the 9:17 mark of the first half. BC regained momentum thanks to the play of Jaylin Gilbert, who hit two quick baskets in transition as the Tigers went on a 9-0 run to take a 22-13 lead with 7:04 remaining in the first half. The Tigers' lead increased to 16 after a Justice Morgan layup made the score 34-18 with 3:04 left before halftime. Back-to-back baskets by Dwight Richards, Jr helped CSU narrow the gap to 39-26 at halftime as the Marauders looked to regroup and make adjustments.
Marauder point guard
Keilan Blanks opened the second half by hitting three straight jumper from beyond the arc as the Marauders went on a 11-0 run to suddenly cut the deficit down, 39-37. Richard, Jr., hit a mid range shot to give the Marauders their first lead, 44-43, with 14:10 left in the game. CSU seized control midway through the second half with as another Richard, Jr. basket capped off an 8-2 run to put CSU ahead 55-47 at the 10:13 mark. The Marauders slowly built on their lead over the next 5 minutes of play. A Blanks layup gave CSU its largest lead, 66-52, with 4:53 remaining.
CSU maintained a comfortable lead entering the final minute of play. Benedict refused to go away quietly as Rashee Hodges hit back-to-back three pointers and Udume scored from mid-range to cut the lead down to 73-30 with 19 seconds remaining. The Marauders were able to secure the 76-70 win in the final seconds thanks to successful makes from the free throw line from
Markese McGuire and
Frank Barber III.
The Marauders forced Benedict into 23 turnovers and took a 27-22 edge in points scored of giveaways. CSU also held a 13-7 advantage in fast break points.
Richards, Jr. led all players with 18 points. Richard, Jr. was extremely efficient, converting 8 of 10 shot attempts. Blanks finished with 17 points, 4 assists and 4 steals. Barber II chipped in with 14 points and 6 rebounds as Central State improved to 3-2 overall.
Benedict was paced by Justice Morgan's 11 points and 6 assists. The Tigers fell to 0-3 on the season.
The Marauders continue their long stretch of road games when they travel to Orangeburg, South Carolina to begin SIAC play against Claflin University on Tuesday. Tuesday will be the fifth of nine consecutive road games for the Marauders.
