Central State Claims 77-62 Victory Over Fort Valley State in SIAC Opener

The Central State University men's basketball team bounced back from a couple opening weekend losses to secure a dominant 77-62 win over Fort Valley State on Thursday evening in the SIAC opener at Beacom/Lewis Gym.

Central State (1-2, 1-0 SIAC) showed off a potent offensive attack, particularly in the first half, where they shot 65.2% from the field (15-23) to build a comfortable 42-24 lead by halftime. They also capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 12 of 16 attempts (75%), while limiting Fort Valley State (0-3, 0-1 SIAC) to just 30.8% shooting from the field in the first half.

Fort Valley State's offense improved after the break, shooting 46.7% in the second half (14-30), but it wasn't enough to overcome the large deficit. Despite making a push in the second half, the Wildcats couldn't slow down Central State's efficient scoring attack.

Top Performers:

• Central State: Ramar Pryor was a standout, leading all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. Brandon Scott added 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Javantae Randle contributed 7 points and 8 rebounds.
• Fort Valley State: Sayerr Senghore led the Wildcats with 11 points, while Mike Robinson chipped in 10 points off the bench.

First Half Dominance The Marauders jumped out to an early lead with an efficient offensive showing, led by Pryor and Scott. Fort Valley State struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 30.8% (8-26) in the first half. Despite some bright spots, such as Senghore's 11 points, Fort Valley State couldn't sustain any momentum, and Central State capitalized on nearly every possession, building a 42-24 lead by halftime.

Fort Valley State's Second-Half Push Fort Valley State made adjustments in the second half, improving their shooting to 46.7% (14-30) and showing more energy. Robinson hit a couple of clutch shots, and Senghore continued to attack, but the Wildcats couldn't get enough stops on the defensive end to make a serious run. Central State, although cooled off offensively, remained solid, with Pryor's free-throw shooting (7-7) helping the Marauders maintain control down the stretch.

Central State's Balanced Scoring The Marauders' depth was on full display, with several players contributing to the scoreline. In addition to Pryor's 23 points, Chris Grubbs and Sean Black added valuable minutes off the bench, with Grubbs scoring 5 points and Black contributing 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. Although Central State's shooting dipped in the second half, they continued to be solid from the line, finishing 25-of-37 (67.6%).

Key Stats and Notes:

• Points in the Paint: Central State outscored Fort Valley State 38-30 in the paint.
• Free Throws: Central State dominated at the line, finishing 25-of-37 (67.6%), while Fort Valley State went 15-of-21 (71.4%).
• Turnovers: Fort Valley State committed 14 turnovers, leading to 9 points off turnovers for Central State.

Final Score:
Central State 77, Fort Valley State 62