Clark Atlanta Panthers claw past Marauders, 78-71
 
WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Marauders fell short in a 78-71 loss to the Panthers of Clark Atlanta on Saturday night.
 
Dropping its six straight contest, CSU is now 1-9 overall with a 0-5 mark in the SIAC. CAU improves to 4-6 on the season with a 1-2 conference ledger.
 
Trailing by as many as 13 in the first half, CSU battled back to within striking distance thanks to a 7-0 run capped off by a dunk from freshman forward Michael Reeves. Randal Clarkson, Jr. knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer as the Marauders trailed by just five, 40-35, at the break.
 
CSU took its first lead of the game when Tom Johnson found a soaring Dorian Crutcher for a fastbreak dunk to put the Marauders up 46-45 at the 16:36 mark of the second half. The teams continued to trade baskets before CAU managed a 7-0 run to take a 60-54 lead at the 10:37 mark.
 
Just inside of the six minute mark, Jalen Mitchell knocked down back-to-back jumpers to put CAU up by 11. CSU fought back with baskets from Dwight Richards, Jr., Crutcher, ad Clarkson to pull back within five, 73-68, with 3:04 to play.
 
After a series of free throws, CSU trailed 74-71 with 1:36 to play. A potential game-tying three from Orion Monford hit off the back iron. CAU missed on its next shot but CSU was unable to corral the loose rebound. With 27 seconds left, the Marauders were forced to foul. Mitchell calmly knocked down his free throws to seal the victory for the Panthers.
 
CSU struggled from the free throw line, making 12 of 21 attempts while CAU made 11 of 16 shots. CSU also had a lackluster performance from the field, making just 33.8% of its shot attempts compared to CAU's 47.5% shooting night.
 
Mitchell led CAU with a game-high 27 points. Shelvick Henry added 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
 
Crutcher led all CSU scorers with 14 points. Michael Reeves recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Dwight Richards, Jr. finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Marauders will host Morehouse on Monday night at 7 pm. Morehouse is currently ranked No. 15 in the NCAA Div. II National Poll with a 7-1 overall record.


 
Quotes from Coach Joseph Price


"We were right there but we just could not finish. We beat ourselves tonight. We have to be better."
 
"We struggled to make free throws and had some questionable shot selection down the stretch. I think if we do a better job of executing we would have come out on top."
 
"I thought that Shelvick (Henry) and Jalen (Mitchell) did a tremendous job tonight. They combined for 49 points and came up big for their team down the stretch."
 
"We are putting ourselves in the position to win these conference games. We are going to regroup and get ready for a really talented Morehouse team."
 
 
Notes
 
 
CSU played its first home game since Nov. 18.
 
CSU's Michael Reeves recorded his first double-double in a Marauder uniform.
 
Dwight Richards, Jr. entered Saturday's game leading the SIAC in scoring with 21.4 ppg.
 
 



Next Game
Opponent: Morehouse
Date: 12/17/18
Tip-Off: 7 pm
Location: Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium – Wilberforce, Ohio
 
 
Watch - https://maraudersports.com/watch/ 
Listen - https://www.gemcitysports.com/radio-1/