Central State Dominates in Second Half to Secure 73-56 Victory Over Simmons (KY)

WILBERFORCE, OH – Central State University (OH) used a strong second-half surge to pull away from Simmons College (KY) for a 73-56 victory in non-conference basketball action on November 26, 2024, at Beacom/Lewis Gymnasium.

The victory marked Central State's second win of the season and their first in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play, improving their record to 2-3, 1-0 SIAC. Simmons dropped to 1-8 on the year.

A Tight First Half

The game started with both teams struggling to find offensive rhythm. Simmons shot just 34.8% from the field in the first half (8-23), but were able to keep it close, especially from beyond the arc, where they shot 50% (1-2). They also hit 6-of-9 free throws (66.7%) to stay in the contest. Senior guard Phillip Richards was the standout for the visiting team, scoring 12 points in the first half, while Anthony Southers added 9 points. Despite their efforts, Simmons went into the locker room trailing by just 4, 27-23.

On the other side, Central State also struggled offensively in the first half, shooting only 33.3% from the field (9-27) and a subpar 26.7% from three (4-15). However, the Marauders were able to capitalize on free throws, converting 50% (5-10) from the charity stripe. Chris Grubbs led the charge for Central State with 15 points, including 3-of-4 shooting from long range.

Central State Pulls Away in the Second Half

After the break, Central State came out of the locker room firing on all cylinders. The Marauders dominated the second half, shooting 53.3% from the field (16-30) and an impressive 53.8% from three (7-13). Their free-throw shooting also improved, with Central State converting 63.6% of their attempts (7-11). With their offense clicking, Central State quickly extended their lead and never looked back.

Grubbs continued his strong play in the second half, finishing with 15 points, while Marjoni Tate (7 points) and Brandon Scott (14 points) helped fuel the offensive explosion. The Marauders' bench was especially productive, scoring 44 points on the night, including key contributions from Scott and Tate.

Despite improving their shooting to 50% from the field in the second half (13-26), Simmons could not make up the deficit. Their three-point shooting remained an issue, as they hit only 25% from long range (2-8) in the second half. Richards and Southers did their best to keep the game close, but ultimately, the deficit proved insurmountable.

Key Stats and Contributions

• Simmons (KY): Despite grabbing 38 total rebounds, including 14 offensive boards, Simmons struggled with offensive efficiency, shooting just 42.9% from the field. They also had only 4 points off turnovers and 8 second-chance points.

• Central State (OH): The Marauders displayed balanced scoring, led by Grubbs, with strong bench support. Central State outscored Simmons in second-chance points (17-8), points in the paint (26-22), and fast-break points (13-4). Their well-rounded offense and depth proved too much for Simmons to handle.

Conclusion

Central State's second-half dominance was the key to their 73-56 victory. The Marauders took control early in the second half, improving their shooting efficiency and showcasing their depth, particularly from the bench. Simmons had a solid first half but could not sustain their momentum against the Marauders' balanced attack.

With this victory, Central State (OH) will look to build momentum as they continue their season and SIAC play. Simmons, on the other hand, will look to regroup and bounce back in their next matchup, still searching for their first win of the season.