CSU Wins Exciting Game

            Three days ago (Wednesday, October 21, 2015), I covered a basketball game for: “Xenia’s Word On The Street” (www.xeniaword.com). Of course, that game occurred inside of Central State University’s (CSU) Beacom-Lewis Gymnasium (BLG). BLG is my present location. Like on Wednesday, today (Saturday, October 24, 2015), I am here to see CSU’s Women’s Basketball Team play. The Lady Marauders’ opponent will be the Urbana University (UU) Lady Blue Knights. Once again, I will be witnessing another Preseason Game. I still have to get used to covering basketball (instead of football). Believe it or not, the transition can be somewhat difficult. I am not saying that the transition is extremely hard and/or impossible to accomplish. For the past five months, I have been in football stadiums. I have been covering numerous Semi-Pro; High School; and College Football Games. Now, the sport of “basketball” must become my main focus. However, I am still in the midst of covering football games. Therefore, I must be able to switch between the two sports. Now, I only have two more football games left to cover. That is not too bad. Then, my full-attention becomes basketball. Of course, the entire situation has a positive aspect. As far as basketball goes, games are held indoors. Football games are held outside. When covering football games at all times, a Sports Journalist must be aware of the present (and future) weather conditions. That is a big difference!

            Central State won the game’s tip-off. The Lady Marauders passed the ball around the perimeter. Eventually, Jordyn Bond made a 2-Point Basket (9:44). After Urbana turned the ball over, Bond found the ball in her hands again. This time, she was fouled. After Bond successfully converted 2-Free Throw Attempts, CSU led 4-0. At 9:11, the Lady Marauders’ Defense intercepted a pass. However, the offense was unable to score. At the 8:43 mark, UU’s Megan Beachy nailed a 3-Point Basket. The Lady Blue Knights went on to commit 1-Turnover. The Lady Marauders would not be outdone. They committed 2-Turnovers. Before a Timeout (7:13), CSU’s Kourtni Perry was at the basket. She went on to make a 2-Point Basket. CSU’s lead was now 6-3. The game has started out extremely fast. I am having a hard time keeping up with the game and writing (both at the same time). Both teams are fast.

            Shortly after the Timeout, CSU’s Bria Spaulding stole the ball. Bond ended up at the Free Throw Line. At 6:40, she made 2-Foul Shots. Four seconds after Bond’s conversions, UU turned the ball over again. Once again, Bond found herself at the Free Throw Line (6:22). Her 2-Foul Shots were good. Twenty seconds later (6:02), Beachy made 2-Foul Shots. After the Lady Marauders turned the ball over (Traveling), the Lady Blue Knights’ Kennedy Boggs successfully converted 2-Free Throw Attempts. CSU turned the ball over again (5:32). Then, UU had its turn (5:19). With 5:05 remaining in the 1^st Quarter, UU made a 2-Point Basket. The Lady Marauders turned the ball over again. This time, the Lady Blue Knights’ Erin Morrow made them pay. She hit a 3-Point Basket (4:39). At that point, a Timeout was called. UU has gained control of the “Speed Factor.” By the score of 12-10, the Lady Blue Knights have taken the lead.

            With 4:20 remaining in the 1^st Quarter, Perry was positioned at the basket. With two defenders tightly guarding her, she still managed to make a 2-Point Basket. Thirteen seconds later (4:07), Morrow nailed a 3-Point Basket. At the 2:11 mark, Bond hit a 3-Point Basket. From 1:59 to near 1:25, UU made two 2-Point Baskets. CSU made one 2-Point Basket. From 1:08 to 21.1 Seconds, players went to the Free Throw Line four times. After all Foul Shots were taken, the game was tied 20-20. With 14.0 Seconds left on the clock, UU’s Ariana Harper made a 2-Point Basket. At the end of the 1^st Quarter, UU led CSU by 2-Points (22-20). After the 2^nd Quarter got underway, one of the Lady Blue Knights’ players was driving to the basket. As this particular player put up a shot, Bond blocked it. The ball went out of bounds. UU maintained possession. Unfortunately, the Lady Blue Knights were unable to score.

            From 9:22 to 6:44, UU outscored CSU 8-6. Beachy nailed two 3-Point Baskets. Perry made two 2-Point Baskets. A Timeout was called. By the score of 30-26, CSU trailed UU. After the Timeout, the Lady Blue Knights committed 2-Turnovers and 1-Offensive Foul. Before another Timeout was called (4:52), the Lady Marauders outscored the Lady Blue Knights 4-2. Also, the Lady Blue Knights turned the ball over. After the latest Timeout, the teams went on to match one another in points (4-4). For the Lady Marauders, Meshia Smith scored all 4-Points. At the 2:13 mark, Beachy nailed a 3-Point Basket. From 1:56 to 1:11, CSU went on a 7-0 run. During the final 37.4 Seconds, each team scored 2-Points. At the end of the First Half, CSU possessed a 2-Point Lead (43-41). UU has taken over control of the game’s speed.

            The Lady Blue Knights put themselves into good positions. As a direct result, they were able to make adequate shots and passes. UU’s footwork is top-notch. The Lady Blue Knights’ ability to make the 3-Point Shot has been deadly. Definitely, they have used that aspect to their advantage. UU passes the ball and uses good footwork to get out of bad situations. Also, they have utilized those aspects to counter CSU’s tight Defensive Coverage. During the 2^nd Quarter’s final 2:00, the Lady Marauders turned up their intensity and strengthened their defense. Unfortunately, CSU keeps missing shots. After the start of the 3^rd Quarter, UU had possession of the ball. However, the Lady Blue Knights did not score. Then, both teams developed turnover issues. With 8:39 on the clock, UU’s Jazymn Haley made a 2-Point Basket. Ten seconds later (8:29), Bond goes straight to the basket (after she obtains a Steal). Beachy comes back with 2-Foul Shots. Then, each team commits 1-Turnover.

            From 6:27 to 4:56, CSU went on a 7-2 run. At the 4:44 mark, a Timeout was called.  After the Timeout, UU’s Boggs outscored CSU 5-0. From 2:58 to 0.4 Seconds, CSU outscored UU 8-5. The Lady Blue Knights should consider themselves lucky. During the time frame, they committed 4-Turnovers. The Lady Marauders should have scored more points. However, CSU had a problem with making Foul Shots. At the end of the 3^rd Quarter, CSU led UU 60-57. At 9:54 of the 4^th Quarter, UU’s Danie Shafer made a 2-Point Basket. The Lady Marauders proceeded to go on a 7-0 run. Perry scored 4-Points. Bond hit a 3-Point Basket. The Lady Blue Knights were not going to be left out. They went on a 7-0 run too.

            The Scoring Runs did not end. From 6:08 to 5:17, CSU outscored UU 8-2. With 4:49 remaining in the game, a Timeout was called. CSU led UU 75-68. After the Timeout (from 4:28 to 1:20), each team committed 4-Turnovers. During the process, CSU outscored UU 7-2. During the final 1:07, Beachy outscored CSU 6-4. She nailed two 3-Point Baskets. For CSU, Ghameerah McCullers scored 3-Points. By the Final Score of 86-76, CSU went on to win the game.  Today is the last time which I will see the Lady Marauders play. Saturday, November 28, 2015, is the date of the Lady Marauders’ next Home Game. That game will be a 2015-2016 Regular Season Game. CSU’s opponent will be Slippery Rock University. I will be eagerly awaiting that contest. During this preseason, the Lady Marauders have looked really good. Since the last time I saw the young women (back in March at the GMAC Tournament), the team has vastly improved. Will the improvements continue into the regular season? Definitely, I am eager to find out!