The Central State Marauders fell to Edward Waters 78-71 in a hard-fought battle at Beacom/Lewis Gym in Wilberforce, Ohio, on November 30, 2024. Despite a strong first-half performance, Central State couldn't hold onto their lead, as Edward Waters surged in the second half to take the victory. With the loss, the Marauders dropped to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), while Edward Waters improved to 5-3 and 1-0 in SIAC play.

The Marauders came out with energy in the first half, leading 34-30 at the break. Central State shot an efficient 46.2% from the field, including 50% from beyond the arc (7-of-14). Savion Marshall-Hamilton provided a spark with 8 points, and Brandon Scott contributed 15 points in just 19 minutes of play. Despite a strong first-half showing, the Marauders' defense began to falter as the game progressed.

In the second half, Edward Waters turned up the pressure, outscoring the Marauders 48-37. Ja'Kobe Williams was a major factor for the Tigers, scoring 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Myles Hosten added 19 points. The Tigers' offensive efficiency improved significantly, as they shot 55.6% from the field in the second half, including 44.4% from three-point range. Central State struggled defensively and couldn't contain Edward Waters' fast breaks, as the Tigers scored 16 points off transition plays.

For the Marauders, Gladney Justin had a solid performance with 11 points, but the team struggled with consistency, particularly from the three-point line, where they made just 11 of 26 attempts (42.3%). Ramar Pryor contributed 5 points and 4 assists, while Brandon Scott had a team-high 15 points off the bench, but the lack of defensive stops and timely shooting proved costly. Central State's bench was outscored 39-16, and they were unable to capitalize on their fast break opportunities, scoring only 7 points in transition.

Edward Waters' defense also contributed to their win, forcing 16 turnovers, including 14 points off those mistakes. Despite holding a slim 26-24 advantage in points in the paint, it was the Tigers' improved shooting in the second half and their dominance on the fast break that ultimately sealed the win.

While the Marauders showed resilience throughout the game, particularly in the first half, they were unable to sustain their lead, and the strong second-half performance by Edward Waters proved too much to overcome. Central State will look to regroup as they continue their SIAC schedule, hoping to bounce back from the defeat.