CSU reserves propel Marauders to 81-74 victory over Wilberforce

 
WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Marauders avenged last month's loss to rival Wilberforce with an 81-74 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.
 
 
With the win, CSU improves to 8-14 overall. WU drops to 4-15 on the season.
 
 
Playing inside a sold out Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium, WU jumped out to a 18-11 lead in the early stages of the game. CSU steadied themselves in front of their home crowd as reserves Davone Daniels and Chuck Ruise led the Marauders on a 25-6 run to close the half.
 
 
Up 36-24 entering the second half, CSU senior Frank Barber III scored seven quick points to help his team build a 45-28 lead with 17:10 left on the clock. The Marauders built a healthy nineteen point lead with 11:46 to play. WU's leading scorer Lajuane Marshall, who was held scoreless in the first half, hit his next four shots as the Bulldogs cut the deficit all the way down to six, 71-65, with 4:15 to go. The Marauders scored on its next three offensive possessions with baskets from Ruise and Tom Johnson to go up 75-65 with 2:50 left. Marshall hit from beyond the arc on WU's next trip down the floor. A basket from Arthur Haggard brought WU within five, 77-72, at the 1:36 mark. Johnson helped put the Marauder faithful's minds at ease as the the 5'9 guard scored on a aggressive drive to the basket and added two free throws in the final minute to seal the seven-point victory.
 
 
The CSU trio of Daniels, Ruise and Johnson helped CSU gain a 51-25 edge in bench points.
 
 
Daniels finished the afternoon with 17 points. Ruise recorded 15 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Johnson scored 14 points which included an 8 for 10 performance from the free throw line. Chris Scott finished with his team-leading eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
 
Austin Daniels led WU with 21 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds.


 
The Marauders will celebrate Senior Recognition Night on Monday when the resume conference play against Spring Hill at 7:30 pm.



 
Quotes from Coach Joseph Price

"Tom was a tremendous spark plug for us tonight. We are really proud of his efforts tonight."

"Chuck (Charles) and Davone were on tonight. With them on the court, we were really able to build a comfortable lead."

"We have a quick turnaround and need to get ready to play a big conference game against Spring Hill College on Monday."

"Anytime Wilberforce and Central State play, it is a great day for collegiate basketball. We are glad we came out on top today."

 


Notes


With Saturday's results, CSU splits the regular season with WU (1-1).


The campuses of Central State and Wilberforce border each other. U.S. Route 42 divides the two campuses with each team's gym separated by less than one mile.

 
Davone Daniels is converting over 40% of his three-point attempts. He has averaged 16.25 ppg in the last three games.


Since joining the team late in January, junior guard Charles Ruise has given a new dimension to the Marauder offense averaging 12.7 ppg.


CSU seniors Frank Barber III, Jeremy Brown, Chris Cook, Davone Daniels, Sterling Gilmore and Dwight Richards, Jr. will be recognized before Monday's home game against Spring Hill.
 




Next Game
 
Opponent: Spring Hill
Date: Monday, Feb 5th
Tip-Off: 7:30 pm
Location: Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium – Wilberforce, Ohio
 



Coverage
 
Radio -  Gem City Sports Network (http://www.gemcitysports.com/radio-1/)
Video -  CSU Sports Streaming Channel (http://maraudersports.com/watch/)
Live Stats -  Marauder Live Stats site (http://www.sidearmstats.com/centralstate/mbball/)
 
 
 


Tickets

For ticket information, visit -  http://centralstate.universitytickets.com/user_pages/event_listings.asp