Marauders Men's Basketball Rallies for Overtime Win Against Allen
Columbia, SC (January 4, 2025) – The Central State Marauders (6-10, 3-5 SIAC) salvaged the weekend with an exhilarating 61-55 comeback win over Allen University in overtime at Adams Gymnasium. Despite trailing for much of the game, the Marauders stormed back in the second half, led by a career-night performance from Savion Marshall-Hamilton, to claim the victory and snap a two-game losing streak.
The game started off sluggishly for the Marauders, as they struggled to find their shooting touch in the first half. Central State was held to just 5-of-30 shooting in the opening 20 minutes, resulting in a 23-15 deficit heading into the break. The team struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 1-of-14 three-point attempts. Allen, on the other hand, capitalized on Central State's offensive struggles, building a solid lead behind strong performances from Peyton Weathersby and Jordan Edmond.
However, the Marauders were far from finished. After halftime, Central State came out with renewed energy, particularly on the offensive end. They shot 65.2% from the field in the second half (15-23) and quickly erased Allen's lead. A much-improved offensive attack, including key contributions from Ramar Pryor (17 points) and Savion Marshall-Hamilton (21 points, 11 rebounds), allowed Central State to tie the game at 55-55 in the final seconds of regulation.
The game then went into overtime, and it was here where the Marauders' resilience shone through. Central State outscored Allen 11-5 in the extra period, with Marshall-Hamilton continuing to dominate inside, scoring crucial points down the stretch. He also grabbed vital rebounds, helping the Marauders control the pace of the overtime period.
Marshall-Hamilton's career night saw him not only post a double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds) but also contribute 4 assists and 2 blocks in 30 minutes of action. Pryor, who had been solid throughout, also chipped in with 17 points and 7 assists, leading the team in playmaking.
Allen's offensive struggles resurfaced in overtime as they shot just 20% (1-5) from the field. The Falcons were led by Weathersby, who scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 41 minutes, but their scoring was spread too thin, and they were unable to mount a significant challenge in the extra period.
Other notable performances for the Marauders included Champ Hayden, who added 12 points and 4 rebounds, and Steven Key II, who contributed 8 points and 5 assists. Central State's defense, especially in the second half and overtime, was key in limiting Allen's opportunities, particularly in the paint where they scored just 28 points compared to Central State's 40.
For Allen, the loss drops them to 3-8 overall and 1-6 in the SIAC. In addition to Weathersby, Edmond added 8 points and 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to hold off the Marauders' second-half surge.
Key Performers:
-
Central State (OH):
-
Allen:
- Peyton Weathersby: 11 points, 4 rebounds
- Jordan Edmond: 8 points, 6 rebounds
- Noel Scott: 9 points, 3 assists
Central State will now look to build on this hard-fought win as they prepare for their upcoming conference matchups against Lane and Miles back home at Beacom Lewis Gymnasium. Â
