Lady Marauder defense key in 82-74 win over Edward Waters
 

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – In a fast-paced, back-and-forth contest, the Central State Lady Marauders prevailed over the Tigers of Edward Waters, 82-74, on Saturday.
 

With the win, CSU is now 1-3 overall and 1-0 in SIAC play. EWU drops to 5-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.
 

In a game that had 11 lead changes, the teams played to a 20-20 tie after 10 minutes of play. CSU and EWU traded baskets for the majority of the second quarter until a three ball by Diamond Phillips followed by a tough basket down low by Dashanti Miller helped the Lady Marauders take a 42-38 lead into the break.
 

The pace continued in the third quarter as CSU guard Ciara Hardy knocked down a midrange jumper to give her team a 65-63 advantage heading into the fourth period. The Lady Marauders managed to maintain their lead throughout the final 10 minutes of play thanks to timely defense and shot blocking. Led by the efforts of Kailyn Nash, CSU recorded seven rejections in the fourth quarter with Nash accounting for five of them. Nash also made her presence felt offensively with back-to-back baskets in the final two minutes to put her team up, 80-72, with 1:22 left. CSU held EWU to just one field goal in the final 90 seconds to seal the victory.
 

CSU held a 60 to 43 advantage in rebounding and outscored EWU in second chance points, 25-11. Nash finished the game with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight blocks. Naomi Shorts came off the CSU to bench to lead her team in scoring with 15 points. Katarina Maros added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 

EWU was paced by Tatum Hayes, who scored a game-high 20 points in 26 minutes. Jourdan Avery came off the bench to record 11 points and seven rebounds.
 

CSU returns to action at home on Monday against Savannah State.



INSIDE THE BOX SCORE


CSU's 60 rebounds is the most the team has recorded since Jan. 5 of 2017 (Clark Atlanta - 61)


Nash's eight blocks sets her new collegiate career-high. Her eight blocks is the most any CSU player has had in a game since CSU joined the SIAC in 2014.


CSU's 82 points is the most the team has scored in three games this season.


CSU's first four opponents of the season have a combined 13-6 record.