WILBERFORCE, Ohio — The Central State Marauders continued their strong midseason push Wednesday night, hanging on late to secure a 74–65 victory over the LeMoyne-Owen Magicians inside Beacom/Lewis Gym. The win marked Central State's fourth victory in its last five games and brought the Marauders back to .500 at 7–7 overall and 6–6 in SIAC play.

The contest was tight from the opening tip, with Central State holding a narrow 28–27 advantage at halftime. The Marauders surged in the second half behind improved efficiency and timely stops, outscoring LeMoyne-Owen 46–38. Despite a late push from the Magicians, Central State made the necessary plays down the stretch to close out the win.

Ramar Pryor just named SIAC player of the week, led the way with another strong performance pouring in a game-high 20 points while adding four rebounds and three steals. Khalil Luster delivered an efficient performance, scoring 15 points on 4-of-5 shooting while knocking down four triples. Javantae Randle controlled the glass with nine rebounds and added 12 points, while Micah Bays chipped in 12 points and helped pace the offense in the second half. Off the bench, Braylon Dickerson provided a spark with 11 points in just 13 minutes.

Central State shot an impressive 54.8 percent from the field and converted 21 free throws, using balanced scoring and defensive pressure to generate 18 points off turnovers.

The Marauders now turn their attention to a marquee matchup this Saturday as HBCUGo Rivalry Week comes to Wilberforce. Central State will host longtime rival Kentucky State Thorobreds, with the rivalry showdown airing on HBCUGo. Tipoff is set to be another pivotal moment as the Marauders look to continue their momentum in conference play.