Central State edges Savannah State, 70-66

 
WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Marauders battled to a 70-66 win over Savannah State on Monday night.

 
With the win, CSU climbs back to .500 at 2-2 overall and are now 2-0 in SIAC play. SSU drops to 2-2 on the year and 1-1 in the conference.

 
With seven lead changes and seven ties throughout the contest, the teams were deadlocked at 52-52 with eight minutes remaining. CSU scored the next six points as a Sean Paige jumper gave the Marauders a 58-52 lead with 6:06 on the clock. CSU maintained its lead over the span of the next three minutes. A Willie Jackson free throw put the Marauders ahead by seven, 65-58, at the three minute mark. CSU seemed in control as a Paige free throw gave them a 69-62 lead with 27 seconds left. SSU fought back with a Zakhari Cobb basket followed up by forcing a CSU turnover. Two free throws by Cobb cut the deficit down to three with 12 second left. After a successful inbound play by CSU, SSU was forced to foul. SSU sent a familiar face to the line in Marcus Scott V, who transferred to CSU from SSU in the fall. Scott V hit the backend of his two attempts from the line to put CSU up by two possessions and seal the Marauder victory.


The Marauders used a balance scoring attack combined with the ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line. Four CSU players finished in double-figures led by Paige. Paige recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Scott V and Marcus Steele each recorded 13 points in the win. Willie Jackson provided a spark of the bench for CSU with 12 points.


While only managing 17 field goals in the game, CSU earned 43 trips to the free throw line and converted 31 shots (72.1%). SSU was 10 of 22 from the free throw line (45.5%). The Marauders also held a slight edge in rebounding, 41-35 and were 5-11 from three-point range (45.5%) compared to SSU's 6-for-18 performance from beyond the arc (33.3%).

 
CSU returns to action on the road against Benedict on Saturday.