Lady Marauders Are Caught Slipping

            Coming into tonight’s (Thursday, December 3, 2015) game, THE Central State University Lady Marauders possess an Overall 2015-2016 Season Record of 2-3. However, do not allow that record to fool you! The Lady Marauders are a good “Basketball Team.” After losing so many players to graduation (after The 2014-2015 Season concluded), I was under the impression that this would be a “REBUILDING YEAR.” To be perfectly honest, this is a rebuilding year. The team had to replace some key parts. Some of the graduated players (especially Iniquia Snell; Amanda Pierce; and Jasmine Cooper) were the Heart & Soul of CSU’s Basketball Team. They all had such a big-time effect on their team. Their accomplishments (while they were members of the CSU Lady Marauders) will never be forgotten. However, the Lady Marauders must move on. While that process was set to begin this season, I thought that the team would truly struggle. Although the season is still young, the team looks really good. To every, current, team member, I am quite certain that my words mean nothing to them. Improvements can always be made. The Win-Loss Record is not the best. Definitely, it could be better. As the season goes on, it will be very interesting to see how this current team evolves. All I know is the following. The CSU Lady Marauders are off to a positive start.

            The ensuing game is the Lady Marauders’ first-ever game in a new conference (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference – SIAC). Today’s Home Opponent is Benedict College (BC). As the Lady Tigers come into Beacom-Lewis Gymnasium, they possess an Overall Season Record of 3-0. When they exit the gymnasium, will the Lady Tigers leave 4-0? It is up to CSU to prevent that from occurring. Benedict won the game’s tip-off. The Lady Tigers based their offense around the perimeter. It looked as if they wanted to attempt a 3-Point Basket. However, Central State’s Defense was not having it. At the 9:37 mark, BC’s Destiny Betts made a 2-Point Basket. After CSU committed 2-Turnovers, Betts picked up two more points. With 8:13 on the clock, CSU received its first points. Destinee Russell made a 2-Point Basket. It was the Lady Tigers’ turn to turn the ball over. Thirteen seconds later after BC’s Turnover (7:52), the Lady Marauders’ Kourtni Perry found herself at the Free Throw Line. She went on to make 1-Foul Shot.

            From 7:08 to 5:02, CSU committed 3-Turnovers. However, BC managed to outscore CSU by only 1-Point (5-4). The Lady Tigers’ Dorothy Brown hit a 3-Point Basket. Perry scored the Lady Marauders’ 4-Points. With 4:41 remaining in the 1^st Quarter, a Media Timeout was called. BC possessed a 2-Point Lead (9-7). I have noticed that Benedict wants to shoot from around the perimeter. Central State’s Defense has been very tight. The Lady Marauders are not allowing many perimeter shots. If so, shots have been mostly contested. The Lady Tigers have been forced to go inside. They have to go near the basket. If not near the basket, BC just has to be within 2-Point Range. Six seconds after the Timeout, a Jump Ball was called. CSU was awarded possession. A short time later, the Lady Marauders picked up 2-Points. By the score of 9-9, the game was now tied.

            With 3:41 left in the 1^st Quarter, CSU obtained a Steal. The Lady Marauders were unable to capitalize on their good Defensive Play. From 3:13 to 2:48, CSU committed 2-Turnovers. BC proceeded to go on a 7-0 Scoring Run. CSU did not lie down. The Lady Marauders continued to fight. During the final 2:22, the Lady Marauders outscored the Lady Tigers 10-7. Shannon DeFoe and LaKayra Carlisle each scored 3-Points. At the end of the 1^st Quarter, BC led CSU 23-19.  Benedict’s Defense caused Central State to commit multiple turnovers. The Lady Tigers looked like they were going to open up a wide lead. Every time it looked that way, the Lady Marauders made a good play. As the 2^nd Quarter got underway, Central State had possession of the ball. At 9:48, the Lady Marauders missed a 2-Point Basket. Benedict ends up getting the Defensive Rebound. However, the Lady Tigers missed a 3-Point Basket. At 8:55, BC turned the ball over.

            At the 8:35 mark, CSU’s Ashley Dennis made a 2-Point Basket. Sixteen seconds later (8:19), BC’s Regime McCombs responded by nailing a 3-Point Basket. From 7:43 to 6:47, BC committed 3-Turnovers. CSU committed 1-Turnover. With 6:30 on the scoreboard, the Lady Marauders’ Ghameerah McCullers slid to the basket uncontested. She picked up 2-Points. Each team went on to commit 1-Turnover. Then, the Lady Tigers did it again. In fact, McCombs countered with a 3-Point Basket. Before a Media Timeout (at 4:50), only CSU scored. The Lady Marauders trailed the Lady Tigers by 4-Points (29-25).  Scoring for the remainder of the 2^nd Quarter was dead-even. Each team scored 10-Points. At the end of the First Half, Benedict leads Central State 39-35. It is going to be interesting to see what Second Half Adjustments that each team will make.

            Thus far, this game has been very good. Neither team has been able to separate itself from the other. For most of the First Half, Benedict looked like it would separate itself from Central State. Every time that happened, Central State would step up its Offensive Game. The Lady Marauders would keep the game at a reasonable pace. In the Second Half, CSU needs to do a better job of limiting the 3-Point Shot. For a while (especially in the 1^st Quarter), CSU was not allowing BC to be comfortable (with attempting the 3-Point Basket). In the 2^nd Quarter, Benedict has been able to attempt better shots (from 3-Point Range). With doing so, the Lady Tigers have been successful. The Lady Marauders have to play better Perimeter Defense. If not, this game has the potential to get out-of-hand. After the start of the 3^rd Quarter, gameplay was quite messy. From 9:46 to 8:50, the following mistakes took place. BC committed a Defensive Foul. CSU committed 1-Turnover. BC had 2-Turnovers. Finally, CSU missed a 2-Point Basket.

            Before a Media Timeout (4:22), Benedict committed 2-Turnovers. Central State committed 1-Turnover. Scoring was minimal. The Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Marauders 6-5. At one point, CSU’s Jordyn Bond hit a 3-Point Basket. At 4:22, BC led CSU 45-40. The game is still very tight. Central State is not allowing Benedict to separate itself. One issue which the Lady Marauders need to correct is Free Throw Shooting. The young women are just missing way too many Foul Shots. Of course, the Lady Tigers are having the same issue. However, BC is winning the game. CSU is trying to come from behind. Therefore, Foul Shots are extremely critical. Another Media Timeout took place at the 2:52 mark. Leading up to that point, BC went on a 5-0 Scoring Run. One of the Lady Tigers’ conversions was a deep 3-Point Basket (by Regime McCombs). BC’s lead was now 10-Points (50-40).

            The 3^rd Quarter’s last 2:41 was filled with Turnovers. Benedict committed 2-Turnovers. As far as Central State goes, the Lady Marauders committed a whopping 4-Turnovers! Each team scored 2-Points. The Lady Marauders are truly killing their chances of making this game close. In fact, they are helping the Lady Tigers’ lead to increase.  At the end of the 3^rd Quarter, the Lady Tigers possess a 10-Point Lead (52-42). After the 4^th Quarter got underway, BC further strengthened its lead. The quarter started with each team turning the ball over once. Then, BC outscored CSU 14-9. With 4:45 remaining in the game, a Media Timeout was called. The Lady Tigers’ lead was now 15-Points (66-51). Benedict is capitalizing off of Central State’s Turnovers. Therefore, the Lady Tigers have built up a double-digit lead. The Lady Marauders are having difficulties dealing with what the Lady Tigers are bringing.

            CSU’s “Turnover Issues” never improved. For the remainder of the game, the Lady Marauders committed 3-Turnovers. BC only committed 1-Turnover. The Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Marauders 12-9. From 2:40 to 2:05, three, consecutive 3-Point Baskets were nailed. BC’s Dorothy Brown and teammate Regime McCombs were each responsible for one apiece. CSU’s Meshia Smith made a 3-Point Basket too. Eventually, the Lady Marauders ran out of time. A comeback was not possible. A victory was not going to happen. By the Final Score of 78-60, BC went on to win the game. I must give credit (where credit is due). The Lady Tigers won this game. That is a true fact. It cannot be changed. However, I feel this way. To a great extent, the Lady Marauders hurt themselves. A multitude of mistakes cost the Lady Marauders the game. For most of the game, CSU was within reach of BC’s lead. From the very end of the 3^rd Quarter throughout the remainder of the game, BC took over firm control of the game. The Lady Tigers refused to give up any amount of control.