Marauders struggle down the stretch in 63-58 loss to Shawnee State
 
WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Marauders came up short in Monday's 63-58 loss to Shawnee State.
 
The loss drops CSU to a record of 2-13 overall. SSU improves to 9-5 on the season.

CSU's Dreon Lewis started the game off hot, scoring his team's first eight points as CSU jumped out to an 8-4 lead. Shawnee State responded with a 7-2 run to go up 11-10 and the teams traded the lead over the next five minutes of play. Leading by two at the 5:09 mark, Oliver Martin delivered a electrifying fast break dunk and Lewis scored a hard earned layup inside to put CSU up by six. Three-pointers from Orion Monford and Malik Fisher helped CSU maintain its six-point edge at half as the Marauders took a 31-25 lead into the locker room.
 
The momentum swung early in the second half as SSU opened with a 12-3 run. A Tamal Watkins three-point play gave SSU a 37-34 lead with 13:07 to play. CSU answered with a 10-3 run capped off by a Michael Reeves basket with 9:38 to go up 44-40. Up by four with 5:25 to play,
 
CSU surrendered the next seven points and trailed 57-54. Monford knocked down a shot from the perimeter to knot the game back up, 57-57. Tom Johnson added a free throw on CSU's next possession as the CSU went up 58-57 with 1:30 to go. Shawnee State held the Marauders scoreless in the final 90 seconds of play. Tamal Watkins went four-for-four from the free throw line and Tim Biakapia added a basket as SSU went on to win by five.
 
EJ Onu led Shawnee State with 15 points and eight rebounds. Justin Johnson added 11 points. As a team, SSU outrebounded CSU, 48-33.
 
Lewis paced the Marauders with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
 
The Marauders will resume conference play on the road this Saturday against Miles College
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
 
 
Since becoming active on Dec. 28, Dreon Lewis has scored in double-figures in every game. He has also recorded three double-doubles.
 
CSU guard Tom Johnson entered Monday night's game ranked No. 10 in the NCAA Div. II with 6.4 assists per game.
 
With Monday's results, Shawnee State ties the all-time series with CSU, 5-5.



Next Game
Opponent: Miles (9-4; 6-0)
Date: 1/12/19
Tip-Off: 3 pm cst
Location: Windam-Knox Gymnasium – Fairfield, Alabama
 
Live State - https://milesgoldenbears.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary