Lady Marauders fall to Benedict in SIAC championship

3/4/2017 7:58:00 PM

Box Score Lady Marauders fall to Benedict in SIAC championship

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - The Central State Lady Marauders fell to Benedict College, 77-72, in the SIAC final on Saturday.

Featuring the the regular season champs from the West and East Divisions, the teams opened the game trading baskets resulting in a 10-10 tie with 3:34 left in the 1st quarter. Leanna Morrison scored the next 6 points for BC as the Tigers eneded the quarter on a 10-5 run to take a 20-15 lead. BC extended their lead to 9 after a Simone Roberts basket gave the Tigers a 26-17 lead at the 8:44 mark. CSU managed to remain within striking distance. Two Falon Edwards free throws at the end of the half cut the deficit down, 40-35, at intermission.

By the 7:20 mark of the third quarter, CSU had pulled within 2 after a three-point play from Ghameerah McCullers. BC responded with a Shannaissa White three-pointer and the Tigers slowly built their lead up to 11 by the 2:19 mark. CSU's Rahni Bell kept her team in the game by scoring the team's final 8 points of the quarter as the Lady Marauders trailed 63-57 entering the fourth quarter.

After a Roberts three-pointer gave BC a 66-59 lead, CSU scored the next 6 points to pull with 1 point with 4:20 left on the clock. After a string a free throws from both sides, CSU had a chance to tie or take the lead but missed two chances to do so as shots from Ghameerah McCullers and Destinee Russell hit the back of the cylinder and bounced out. Morrison converted a three-point play for BC on the next possession to put her team up by 5 with 2:40 to play and CSU was never able to fully recover. BC was 5 of 7 from the free throw line which ended up being enough to lift them to their second consecutive SIAC title.

The Benedict reserves played a huge part in the Tigers championship victory. The BC bench finished with a combined 45 points compared to 12 points from the CSU reserves.

Moore led BC scorers with 22 points. Morrison added 19 points. SIAC Player of the Year Destiny Betts finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds as BC earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Div. II National Tournament with a 21-7 overall record.

Bell finished with a game-high 24 points to go along with 5 rebounds. Hindered by foul trouble throughout the game, McCullers still made an impact with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Mustafa Notter recorded 10 points and 8 rebounds.

The loss dropped the Lady Marauders' record to 20-8 overall.

CSU will await Sunday's NCAA Div. II Selection Show to see if their season will continue at the NCAA Div. II National Tournament. The Selection Show will be shown live on - http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2016-12-09/2017-winter-championships-selections beginning at 10 pm.

Quotable – Head Women's Basketball Coach Sheba Harris:

"We put forth a great effort today and had a chance to win the game. We just didn't execute as well as we could have down the stretch and Benedict made the necessary plays to win the game."

"I am really proud of the way our ladies worked all season long. We have accomplished so many great things this season and I want them to continue to hold their heads up high."

"Regarding our future regarding the NCAA Tournament, I know we are good enough to compete with any team in the country. Our ladies are deserving of the selection and I believe we can be successful on the national stage if given the opportunity."

"In our two seasons competing in the SIAC, we have appeared in the semifinals and finals. Hopefully we can take another step next season and bring a title home to Central State."

Notes

- CSU made its first appearance in a conference tournament final for the first time as a NCAA Div. II member on Saturday.

- Ghameerah McCullers and Mustafa Notter were named to the SIAC All-Tournament Team.

- Saturday's loss snapped CSU's five game winning streak dating back to the regular season.

- CSU has won 20 games in a season for the first time since the 2007-2008 season.

- Benedict made its fifth straight appearance in the SIAC championship game on Saturday.

- All SIAC Tournament games were held in the Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

For more information on the SIAC Basketball Tournament, please go to - http://thesiac.com/index.aspx

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