Marauders hold on for 88-85 win over Edward Waters
 

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Marauders led by as many as 32 and held on to beat a resilient Edward Waters Tigers team, 88-85, on Saturday.

 
With the win, CSU is now 1-2 overall and 1-0 in SIAC play. EWU falls to 1-1 on the season and 1-1 in the SIAC.

 
Marcus Scott opened the game with the hot hand, making his first three shots from beyond the arc as CSU jumped out to an 11-0 lead. Willie Jackson made three more three-pointers of his own midway through the first half as CSU's lead ballooned to 21 points. EWU cut the deficit down to 15 before another Scott three-pointer sparked a 9-1 run to give CSU a 53-27 lead at intermission.

 
CSU freshman Kevin Moore opened the second half seven of the teams' first 14 points of the half as the Marauders led 67-35 at the 15:01 mark. EWU refused to go away as the play of guard Tavares Oliver fueled the Tigers back into the game. Oliver scored 14 points over a 10 minute span to bring his team within 10 points at the 6:47 mark. EWU's Felix Hayes knocked down two three-pointers to help the Tigers claw within seven, 78-71, with 5:41 to go.

 
After a made Marauder free throw, Oliver struck from beyond the arc again to bring his team within five. A Sean Paige basket and Jackson free throw put CSU back up by eight with 2:32 remaining. Oliver responded for EWU again by scoring seven points in a 9-2 EWU run to pull within one, 86-85, with 26 seconds remaining.

 
Hayes came up with a steal on the next inbound by CSU but EWU came up empty on the possession. Forced to foul, EWU sent Jackson to the line. Jackson, a career 75% shooter from the line, calmly knocked down both shots. With only two seconds left, a desperate heave by EWU fell short as the buzzer sounded in favor of CSU.

 
Saturday was truly a tale of two halves as the Marauders shot 53% from the field in the first half and 35.7% in the second half. EWU had nearly the opposite numbers, making 31% of its shots in the first 20 minutes of play before converting 52% of shots in the second half.

 
CSU had four players score in double-figures. Scott led the team with 22 points along with eight rebounds. Paige recorded 21 points on an efficient 10-of-14 from the field. Jackson added a spark off the bench with 19 points. Moore recorded 12 points and seven rebounds in the win.

 
EWU's Oliver led all players with 32 points. Hayes finished with 24 points and nine rebounds.
 
 
CSU returns to action at home on Monday against Savannah State.
 

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

 
CSU's Marcus Scott recorded a season-high with 22 points.

 
Saturday was CSU's first home game of the season.

 
CSU's first half total of 53 points is the most the team has scored in any half since Feb. 17, 2020 (LeMoyne-Owen – 55)