Box Score Seniors lead the way as Central State beats Spring Hill

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Marauders beat the Spring Hill Badgers, 62-58, on Saturday night.

After celebrating seniors Keilan Blanks, Robert Konteh and Markese McGuire during pre-game, the Marauders started the game off hot. McGuire scored 10 points in the first six minutes of the game and CSU led 16-6 at the 13:25 mark. CSU continued to dictate the pace of play. While CSU's leading scorer Dwight Richards, Jr. would be sidelined after suffering an injury midway through the half, SHC was unable to narrow the deficit. McGuire upped the Marauder lead to 39-23 with two free throws with 1:17 left in the first half. After a late SHC free throw, CSU took a 39-24 lead into intermission.

The rims seemed to shrink for CSU to open the second half as the Marauders were held scoreless until Frank Barber III added a free throw at the 12:29 mark. SHC took its first lead, 41-40, on a Walter Massey basket at the 10:52 mark. From that point on, Blanks carried the CSU offense on his back, scoring 15 points in the final 10 minutes of play. With his team down 56-53, Blanks drained a shot from beyond the arc to tie the game, 56-56, with 2:32 to go. After the teams swapped free throws, Spring Hill had possession with a chance to take the lead. SHC's Brandon Fischer shot attempt was rejected by Konteh. Jeremy Brown corralled the loose ball and dished it to Blanks, who hit from outside with 40 seconds left to give his team a 61-58 lead. SHC tried to tie it up on the next possession but Fischer's shot fell short. Forced to foul, SHC sent Dymiere Finch to the line. The junior calmly added a free throw to ensure the victory.

Blanks finished with 24 points to lead all scorers. McGuire scored 18 points. Brown recorded a season-high 16 rebounds to go along with 8 points. With the win, CSU improves to 10-17 overall with a 6-10 mark in SIAC play.

SHC had four players score in double-figures but it wasn't enough as the Badgers fell to 7-19 on the season and 6-9 in conference play.


Quotable – Head Men's Basketball Coach Joseph Price

"It was our three seniors that stepped up and carried us throughout the ball game. I thought Keilan and Markese came up with big baskets when we need them and Robert delivered a big dunk and the defensive play that helped us win the game."

"Our seniors are all very good young men, on and off the court. I am proud to have coached them. We keep challenging them to play well in their final games of their collegiate careers and they answered the challenge tonight."

"Depending on what happens around the conference today, this win can really help propel us into a better seed going into the tournament."

"We were able to get out to a quick start and dictate the tempo of the game early on. Our guys didn't play well to start the second half but we rebounded and made big plays down the stretch to earn the victory."

 
Notes:

• Finishing with 24 points, Keilan Blanks scored the most points since returning from a lower body injury in January.
   
• CSU seniors Keilan Blanks, Robert Konteh and Markese McGuire were honored during pre-game.
   
• The Marauders conclude the regular season on Monday against LeMoyne-Owen College.
   
• With Tuesday's result, Central State and Spring Hill split the season series with each team winning on its home floor.

 
 
Next Up:

Feb. 20 vs. LeMoyne-Owen, 7:30 pm

Coverage:

Watch - http://maraudersports.com/watch/

Listen - http://www.gemcitysports.com/radio-1/

Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/centralstate/mbball/

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