Lady Marauders beat Benedict, 78-56, to advance to SIAC semifinals
 
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Central State Lady Marauders cruised to a 78-56 victory over Benedict College in the SIAC quarterfinals on Wednesday night.

In a rematch of last year's SIAC Championship, CSU jumped out to a 19-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Led by 12 first half points from senior Sierra Harley, CSU extended its lead to 36-22 at the half.
 
BC was unable to make any significant run to cut into the CSU lead. The Lady Marauders outscored Benedict, 21-17, in the third quarter and claimed their largest lead of the night, 78-54, midway through the fourth quarter. CSU went on to win by 22 to end Benedict's bid for a third straight SIAC Tournament title.
 
Harley finish with a game-high 18 points to go along with four assists, threes steals and two rebounds. Falon Edwards finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds and four steals. Chervelle Cox added 10 points and six rebounds as CSU extended its winning streak to five games while improving to 22-5 overall.
 
BC, which finishes the season with a 10-17 overall record, was led by Ay'Anna Bey's 12 points and five rebounds.
 
The Lady Marauders will play the semifinal game on Friday night at 5:30 pm cst (8:45 pm est) against rival Kentucky State (11-17). CSU swept KSU in the regular season (2-0).
 
All tournament games are played at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
 
 

Quotes from Coach LaTonya McDole
 
"This is the most complete game we have played this season. We were consistent on the offensive end and our ladies did a tremendous job of maintaining their focus throughout the contest."
 
"We did a good job of taking high percentage shots tonight and we want to continue our consistency going into our next game."
 
"We have five seniors who do a great job of keeping our team focused and motivated to move forward and advance in this tournament. Our level of intensity remains high."
 
 



 
 
Quotes from Student-Athletes
 
"I was able to find some confidence on the floor tonight. My teammates did a great job of facilitating the ball and finding me for high percentage shot and I was able to convert."
- Junior forward Falon Edwards
 
 
"We have been focused on fine-tuning our game headed into this tournament. We have been preparing all season long for postseason play. We have a winning mentality and remain motivated to get back to the tournament final and win the championship."
-Senior guard Sierra Harley
 
 
"My teammates always push me to be the best I can be. We just wanted to come into this game hungry and motivated to play championship level basketball."
-Junior forward Chervelle Cox
 
 

 
Notes
 
CSU has notched back-to-back 20 win seasons since the program joined NCAA Div. II in 2004.
 
Brooke Spaulding and Sierra Harley were named to the All-SIAC Second Team on Friday.
 
Jaeda Davis was selected as an All-SIAC Honorable Mention.
 
CSU is 12-2 away from Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium this season.
 
CSU lost to Benedict in last year's SIAC Championships, 77-72
 
CSU improves to 5-2 all-time in the SIAC Tournament dating back to 2016.

CSU sweeps the season series with BC (2-0).

CSU is 40-28 in the all-time series with Kentucky State.
 
CSU leads the SIAC in scoring (76 ppg), assists (15.9 apg), steals (13.9 spg), offensive rebounding (18.8 orpg) and made three-point field goals (167).
 
Due to Spring Hill's inability to participate in postseason play, CSU has clinched a No. 1 seed in the upcoming SIAC Tournament.


 



Next Game
Opponent: Kentucky State 
Date: Friday, March 2
Tip-Off: 5:30 pm cst
Location: Bill Harris Arena – Birmingham, Alabama
 
 
 
 
SIAC Tournament Information
The 2018 SIAC Basketball Tournament is set to tip off on February 26, with the final scheduled for March 3. Bill Harris Arena and the Birmingham CrossPlex will host the tournament for the third time, with 13 teams vying for the SIAC crown.

For game times, ticket information and tournament details, visit - http://thesiac.com/sports/2017/12/1/gen_1201174425.aspx?path=mbball
 

 


 
Tournament Coverage
HBCU Gameday has partnered with the SIAC to provide live video coverage of the SIAC Tournament. For details, visit - https://hbcugameday.com/2018/02/20/hbcu-gameday-will-stream-2018-siac-basketball-tournament/