Central State's comeback attempt falls short in loss to Cedarville

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Lady Marauders fell short in a 73-66 loss to the Yellow Jackets of Cedarville on Thursday night.
The loss drops CSU to 1-2 overall. CU improved to 2-1 on the year.

Falling down by as many as 18 in the early stages of the second half, the Lady Marauder fought back to cut the deficit down the 6 when Falon Edwards converted a mid-range jumper with 8:24 left in the game. Cedarville regained its composure and built their lead back up to 66-54 on a Brenna Watterworth layup at the 5:45 mark.

Back-to-back three-pointers from CSU's Takyra Gilbert brought CSU back within 6 with 3 minutes left. CSU cut it down to 4 with 1 minute remaining as Sierra
Harley scored on an acrobatic drive to the basket.

CSU forced Cedarville into two turnovers in the final 30 seconds of the game but came up empty on both offensive trips down the floor. After a missed shot on their second trip, CSU intentionally fouled and CU's Regina Hochstetler hit her three free throws to close out the game.

The Lady Marauders recorded 15 steals and forced the Yellow Jackets into 27 turnovers. The Yellow Jackets managed to overcome the CSU defense thanks to a 58% shooting performance compared to the Lady Marauders' 35% conversion rate. The Yellow Jackets also outrebounds the Lady Marauders, 41 to 22.

???????Hochstetler led Cedarville with a game-high 21 points. Watterworrth converted 9 of 12 shots to finish with 19 points. She also led all rebounders with 12.

CSU was paced by Gilbert's 18 points. Sierra Harley scored 16 points. Jaeda Davis and Edwards each finished with 11 points.

CSU will travel to North Carolina for this weekend's Red & White Classic hosted by Winston-Salem State University. CSU will play Winston-Salem State on Saturday and St. Augustine's on Sunday.
 
Notes
Prior to the game, CSU sophomore Takyra Gilbert was named the SIAC Newcomer of the Week.

Thursday was the 44^th meeting between CSU and CU. CU leads the all-time series, 27-17.

CU picked up their sixth straight win over CSU.

CSU and CU are separated by just 5.5 miles.

Sierra Harley has scored in double-figures in the first three games this season.

CSU will play Winston-Salem for the first time since the Lady Marauders became an exclusive NCAA Div. II member.
 
 
Next Game
Opponent: Winston-Salem State
Date: Saturday, November 18
Tip-Off: 4 pm
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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