Lady Marauders advance to SIAC Championship with 84-75 overtime victory over Kentucky State

 
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Central State Lady Marauders battled back from an early 12-point deficit to beat rival Kentucky State in overtime, 84-75, in Friday night's SIAC semifinals.

 
After cruising to a 22-point victory in their tournament opener against Benedict, CSU struggled from the field early on. The Lady Marauder shooters made 2 of 15 field goal attempts and trailed KSU, 18-6, at the end of the first quarter. CSU woke up in the second period by outscoring KSU, 28-10. CSU used a 14-5 run at the end of half to take a 34-28 lead at intermission.
Sierra Harley opened the second half with a make from beyond the arc to put CSU up, 37-28. KSU later responded with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit down to one, 45-44, at the 4:03 mark of the third period. CSU managed to hold on to a two-point lead, 54-52, as the teams entered the fourth quarter.

 
KSU reclaimed the lead, 55-54 with a three-point play from Chea Taylor at the 7:29 mark of the fourth quarter. CSU rebounded with baskets on its next three offensive possessions. With 2:42 left in regulation Jaeda Davis hit a highly contested three-pointer to put CSU up, 68-63. After a Falon Edwards basket, KSU used baskets from Brooke Wallace and Bittani Rizzi to cut the deficit down, 70-68, with 36 seconds left on the clock. CSU turned the ball over on its next trip down the floor. Rizzi drew a foul and knocked down two free throws to tie the game 70-70, at the 12 second mark.  CSU answered as Harley drove the baseline and hit a midrange jumper with 4 seconds showing but KSU's Brooke Wallace scored an open layup on the other end as the buzzer sounded to send the game into overtime.

 
CSU regained its composure in extra time. The Lady Marauders limited KSU to 0 for 5 from the field. Sparked by an Edwards jumper, CSU took control of the game with an 8-0 run. CSU sealed the game with four straight makes at the free throw line.

 
CSU recorded 12 steals and held a 27-18 edge in points scored off of turnovers.

 
Harley led all players with 25 points and 5 assists. Davis finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Edwards and Brooke Spaulding each finished with 13 points. Chavon Banks recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
 
KSU, which finishes the season with a 11-18 overall record, was led by Wallace's 17 points and nine rebounds
 

Advancing the SIAC Championship for the second straight year, the Lady Marauders (23-5) will play Clark Atlanta (19-8) on Saturday at 4 pm cst (5 pm est) at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala. The championship game features both No. 1 seeds. CSU is the top seed from the SIAC West Division while CAU is the top seed from the East Division.
 

 
 
Quotes from Coach LaTonya McDole
 
"We came out extremely sluggish but our ladies did a good job regaining their composure."

"We are better than the effort we were putting out early in the game. My goal was to assist and be an encouraging force for our ladies. They continue to prove that they are a relentless group of competitors."



 
 
Quotes from Student-Athletes
 
"I am excited to compete in the championship game. I do whatever I can do on both ends of the floor to help our team win. We all continue to do what the coaches tell us and remain focused on doing whatever it takes to win."
- Junior forward Falon Edwards
 
 
"I started off with some costly turnovers. I tried not to focus on the negative and encourage my teammates through our early game struggles. We all listened to coach and came together to find a way to win."
-Senior guard Sierra Harley
 
 
"We have progressed each year in this tournament. We have a great opportunity to take the next step tomorrow and make history."
-Senior forward Chavon Banks
 

 
 
Notes
 
CSU improves to 6-2 all-time in the SIAC Tournament dating back to 2016.

CSU enters the SIAC Championship on a six-game winning streak.
 
With Friday's win, CSU beat Kentucky State three times this season.
 
CSU is 13-2 away from Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium this season.
 
CSU lost to Benedict in last year's SIAC Championships, 77-72.
 
CSU lost to CAU on the road, 85-81, on Dec. 16.

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 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).
 


 



Next Game
Opponent: Clark Atlanta
Date: Friday, March 3
Tip-Off: 4 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/