Box Score Marauders SIAC tournament run comes to end with double overtime loss to Clark Atlanta


ROCK HILL, South Carolina – Central State lost to Clark Atlanta, 83-77 in double-overtime in Thursday's SIAC quarterfinal.
 
 
CSU started strong as big man Dreon Lewis scored six points in the first six minutes of play as the Marauders jumped out to an 18-11 lead. Clark Atlanta responded with a 12-4 run to take a 23-22 lead. Harris Brown knocked down two three-pointers for CSU to help the Marauders claim a 30-24 lead. CAU kept its poise and closed the half with another 12-4 run for a 36-31 lead at the break.
 
 
Behind Darweshi Hunter's 18 points in the second half, CSU jumped ahead to a 68-61 lead with 3:35 to play. CAU remained poised and answered with a 7-0 run to force overtime.
 
 
CSU broke a nearly five-minute scoring drought when Lewis scored in the paint. Up by two with 29.2 seconds left in the first overtime, CSU surrendered on offensive rebound and fouled Romaine Thomas. Thomas calmly knocked down both shots from the line to tie the game. CAU came up with the defensive stop on the other end as the teams entered the second period of extra time.
 
 
Rims seemed to shrink for CSU in the second overtime, as Marauder shooters combined to make one of 11 field goal attempts and managed just two points in the final five minutes. Up by three with 16.9 seconds left, Thomas sealed the game for CAU with two more free throws.


Hunter led CSU with 26 points and six rebounds. Lewis recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds. Brown finished with 17 points.


Thomas led CAU to victory with 21 points and 20 rebounds.
 
 
CSU ends the season with a 17-13 overall record while CAU advances to Friday's SIAC semifinal.

 

 

THE BASICS


Score: Clark Atlanta – 83 ; Central State - 77

Records: Clark Atlanta (14-15) ; Central State (17-13)

Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina 
 
 
 
 
POSTGAME COMMENTS





INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

 
CSU has lost their last seven games to Clark Atlanta.


 
Thursday marked the first time CSU competed in the SIAC quarterfinals.
 
 
CSU guard Darweshi Hunter was named the SIAC Newcomer of the Year, SIAC Freshman of the Year and to the All-SIAC First Team.
 
 
Hunter finishes the season averaging 20.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg while shooting 51% from the field.
 
 
Senior guard Harris Brown finishes the season averaging 15.8 ppg.
 
 
In his final collegiate game, forward Dreon Lewis recorded his third double-double of the season.
 
 
CSU went 0-3 in overtime games this season.
 
 
Thursday was the eighth time two CSU players have scored 20 or more points in the same game.
 
 
 
CSU's Tom Johnson, the team leader in assists, did not play for CSU throughout the tournament.


 
CSU finishes the season with a 11-game win improvement from last year's record.
 



 
 




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