CSU overcomes 11-point deficit to beat Lane in overtime

2/23/2016 12:01:00 AM

Box Score

CSU comes back to beat Lane in overtime, 76-65

JACKSON, Tennessee – Central State came back from an 11-point second half deficit to beat Lane, 76-65, in overtime on Monday night.

Playing in the regular season finale, Central State opened the game on a 9-2 run thanks to the hot shooting from Sean Cassidy, Jr. and Sterling Gilmore. CSU maintained a comfortable lead for the majority of the first half and a Jeremy Brown dunk gave the Marauders a 23-13 lead with 3:50 to go before halftime. The Dragons cut the Marauder lead down to two thanks to a 8-0 run. Baskets by Gilmore and Cassidy, Jr. helped the Marauders take a 28-23 lead into the locker room.

The Dragons came out on fire in the second half as Terrance Bridgeman scored the first 8 points of the period, sparking a 13-1 Lane run and a 36-29 lead. The Dragons increase their lead to 11 with a Malcolm McDonald lay-in at the 7:28 mark. The Dragons maintained a healthy lead until the 6:30 minute mark when CSU's Hosie Smith, Jr. scored the game's 9 of CSU's next 12 points as the Marauders reclaimed a 57-56 lead with 3:06 remaining in regulation. Joseph Cooper answered for LC, converting in the lane to put Lane back up by one on the next possession. After a defensive stop, Bridgeman hit an off balanced jumper to give the Dragons a 60-57 lead with 2 minutes to go. After Tom Johnson split a pair of free throws for CSU, the Marauders came up with a quick steal and Johnson was sent to the line again with just 43 seconds left on the clock. Johnson calmly hit both attempts from the line to tie the game, 60-60. The CSU defense came up big again, forcing a Lane shot clock violation and taking over possession with 11.3 seconds to go. The ball found Johnson again, who heaved a last second three pointer that came up short as the teams headed to overtime.

"We played a smaller lineup and Hosie Smith really came up big in the midde when we needed him most," said CSU Head Coach Joseph Price. "We were able to regain momentum and carry it into overtime."

It was a one-sided overtime as CSU outscored a struggling Lane offense, 16-5, in the extra period and went on to win, 76-65. Gilmore scored 9 of CSU's 16 points in extra time as CSU celebrated the end of the regular season with a victory.

CSU took advantage of Lane's 18 giveaways, gaining a 29-14 edge in points scored off turnovers.

Gilmore finished with a season-high 27 points. Cassidy, Jr. scored 19 points and Smith, Jr. recorded 15 points and 8 rebounds.

"We needed Sean's contribution off the bench to win the game," Price said. "Sterling made some big shots to seal the deal and we were able to beat a very talented and well coached Lane team tonight."

With the win, the Marauders finish the regular season with a 11-14 overall record and a 9-9 mark in SIAC competition. CSU also finishes the year with a perfect 2-0 mark in games decided in overtime.

Lane caps of the regular season with a 16-12 ledger and a 12-6 mark in conference play.

Central State will wait to see where they fall in the seedings for next week's SIAC Tournament. The opening round of the tournament begins on Monday in Birmingham, AL.

Fans can watch live video on the Marauder Sports Streaming Channel ( http://maraudersports.com/watch/ ).

For more information on the SIAC Tournament, go to - http://thesiac.com/news/2016/1/14/WBBALL_0114163829.aspx?path=mbball

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