CSU wins season opener over Virgin Islands, 92-71
 
 
WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Lady Marauders won the season opener, 92-71, over the University of the Virgin Islands on Saturday.
 
 
CSU held the lead for over 37 minutes of the ball game on their way to the eventual 21-point win.
 
 
CSU opened the first quarter on a 9-2 run and took a 25-19 lead into the second quarter. UVI remained in contention outscoring the Lady Marauders, 18-17, in the second frame and trailed, 42-37 at half.
 
 
CSU opened the third quarter on a 13-1 run as three-pointers from Ciara Hardy, Cathryn Jones and Abbigal Peterson put the Lady Marauders up, 55-39, at the 4:51 mark.
 
 
Entering the fourth quarter up by 11, CSU surrendered a 8-0 run to UVI in the opening minutes of the quarter. With the score 63-60, the Lady Marauders regained control with a 11-2 run capped off by a Kailyn Nash basket to give CSU a 74-62 lead with 4:54 to play. A late 10-0 run gave CSU a 20-point lead and the Lady Marauders cruised to victory.
 
 
Four CSU players scored in double-figures. Jones led CSU with a game-high 23 points. Kenedi London added 15 points along with four steals. Nash recorded 13 points, nine rebound, two blocks and four steals. Hardy had 12 points and four steals. Center Katarina Maros led CSU's rebounding efforts with 16.


 
CSU travels to play the University of California – Pennsylvania on Monday at 6 pm.
 

 
THE BASICS
 
 
Score: Virginia-Lynchburg - 71; Central State - 92
Records: Virgin Islands (5-3); Central State (1-0)
Location: Wilberforce, Ohio
 
 

 
 
QUOTES FROM COACH CATHY PARSON
 
 
"Cat Jones is an amazing player. She has the capability to lock in and do great things and we all saw that today."

 
"We are still developing into a championship level ball club but today is a great first step towards reaching the ultimate goal. We are going to continue to grow."

 
"With the majority of our players as either freshman our first year players, it is our job as coaches to continue to develop them and get them ready for the demands of collegiate basketball."
 
 

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

 
The CSU women's basketball program played its first regular season game in over 630 days on Saturday.

 
Head coach Cathy Parson won in her CSU coaching debut.


CSU's bench outscored UVI reserves, 35-14.

 
CSU forced 31 UVI turnovers and recorded 20 steals.