Lady Marauders Utilize Speed

            My last memories of THE Central State University (CSU) Lady Marauders’ Basketball Team occurred back on March 5^th; 6^th; and 7^th. The setting was Cedarville University’s Callan Athletic Center (Cedarville, Ohio). The event was The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) 2015 Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament. On the tournament’s first day (Thursday, March 5, 2015), CSU’s Quarterfinals Opponent was Davis & Elkins College (DEC). During the regular season, the Lady Senators beat the Lady Marauders twice. For CSU, the third time was the charm. In the GMAC Tournament, the Lady Marauders were finally able to defeat DEC. The very next day (Friday, March 6, 2015), CSU moved on to the Semifinals Round. In the form of the tournament host and #1 Seed Cedarville University (CU), the Lady Marauders faced another team which had defeated them twice (during the regular season). Sadly enough, there would be no repeat of the prior night’s activities. In the end of a very close game, the Lady Yellow Jackets defeated CSU 60-53. At one point, I truly believed the Lady Marauders were going to pull off a MAJOR UPSET. Whenever it looked like CU was going to gain firm-control of the game, CSU fought right back. The Lady Marauders kept the game close. They refused to allow the game to get out-of-hand. Even as the Lady Yellow Jackets obtained multiple, double-digit leads, CU was still prevented from running away with the game. Unfortunately, the Lady Marauders ran out of gas. As a direct result, CU moved on to the championship game.

            This brings me to Saturday, March 7, 2015. Now, you probably possess one question (within your mindset). What does the championship game have to do with the CSU Lady Marauders? Yes, I know that the Lady Marauders suffered a Semifinals Game Loss. I knew that the Lady Marauders would not be participating in the Championship Game. I would not be covering the Championship Game (for: “Xenia’s Word On The Street” – www.xeniaword.com -). All three statements are true. However, I feel this way. When I decided to cover CSU’s participation in the GMAC Tournament, I made one decision. No matter how far the Lady Marauders were to go, I was going to view the entire tournament. For me to attend such a prominent event, the opportunity to do so has never presented itself. Therefore, I was going to see the tournament all the way through. Plus, I definitely was going to watch all of the CU Lady Yellow Jackets’ games (no matter how many that would end up being). Once the Lady Yellow Jackets made it to the Championship Game, I knew that would be a “can’t-miss event.” After the Lady Yellow Jackets became The 2015 GMAC Women’s Basketball Champions, I stood courtside. I watched them cut down the nets. Within my mindset, one question arose. During my lifetime, will I ever witness the CSU Lady Marauders win a championship (of any type)? The answer (to that question) remains a complete mystery. As of now, it cannot be answered.

            Today (Wednesday, October 21, 2015) officially begins a new season. In the upcoming game which I am about to witness, the CSU Lady Marauders will be facing the Cincinnati Christian University (CCU) Lady Eagles. This game is a Preseason Game. Regardless, that fact does not matter (to me). From my viewpoint, tonight is the beginning of the Lady Marauders’ 2015-2016 Season. The mission begins now! Cincinnati Christian won the game’s tip-off. The Lady Eagles took the ball straight to the hoop. Brianna Ruffin made a 2-Point Basket (9:54). After Central State missed a shot, CCU obtained a rebound. However, the Lady Eagles did not end up scoring. From 9:14 to 8:49, CSU went on a 4-0 Scoring Run. Kourtni Perry and Bria Spaulding each hit a 2-Point Basket.  Before a minute was up, each team committed 1-Turnover. At the 7:27 mark, Ruffin hit another 2-Point Basket. Soon thereafter, the Lady Eagles ended up getting a Defensive Rebound. Then, the young women picked up an Offensive Rebound. With 6:29 on the clock, CCU nailed a 3-Point Basket.

            Near the 5:45 mark, CSU’s Jordyn Bond steals the ball. Then, she heads straight to the basket. Unfortunately, Bond turns the ball over. The ball went out of bounds. The Lady Marauders missed an opportunity to capitalize off of Bond’s steal. With 4:44 remaining in the 1^st Quarter, a Timeout was called. The game’s pace has been fast. Since this is the first Preseason Game, I thought that the game would have started slow. However, Cincinnati Christian has been amping up the pace (from the get-go). Central State has followed suit, and kept up with the pace. The Lady Marauders keep missing shots, but they are rebounding well. At 4:11, Bond hit a 3-Point Basket. Her basket tied the game 7-7. From 3:57 to 3:31, the Lady Eagles turned the ball over twice. CSU went on a 4-0 run. With a 3-0 run, CCU responded.

            The Lady Eagles’ 3-0 run consisted of LeTisha Caldwell; Kaitlyn Rawls; and Lexie Doddridge each making 1-Foul Shot. Near the 1:15 mark, the Lady Marauders made a 2-Point Basket. Before the end of the quarter, each team would go on to turn the ball over once. At the end of the 1^st Quarter, CSU led CCU 13-10. From the start, CCU created a fast-pace game. CSU was behind the pace. However, the Lady Marauders managed to catch up. Their speed briefly took over. However, CSU was missing shots. CSU should possess a larger lead. Twenty seconds into the 2^nd Quarter (9:40), the Lady Marauders’ Shannon DeFoe made a 2-Point Basket. She had just gotten an Offensive Rebound (at the basket). DeFoe’s rebound was CSU’s second Offensive Rebound. At 9:14, CCU’s Aly Balser nailed a deep 3-Point Basket. After getting an Offensive Rebound, Perry countered with a 2-Point Basket.

            From 8:40 to near the 7:06 mark, the game became “TURNOVER CITY.” CCU committed 4-Turnovers. CSU committed 2-Turnovers. The Lady Marauders are playing great defense, especially at the basket. After good passing by the Lady Eagles, CCU’s Rachel Warren attacked the basket. During the process, she was fouled (6:44). Warren successfully converted 1-Free Throw Attempt. Sixteen seconds later (6:28), CSU’s Kayla Horn attacked the basket too. However, she made a 2-Point Basket. Her Foul Shot was no good. By the score of 19-14, CSU led CCU. Horn’s 2-Points ended up being a part of a Lady Marauders’ 8-4 run. During the run, Mustafa Notter scored 4-Points. From 5:30 to 3:09, “TURNOVER CITY” made its presence known again. Each team committed 4-Turnovers.

            During the final 1:50 of the First Half, CSU outscored CCU 4-0. At the end of the First Half, CSU led CCU 29-18. The story of the First Half is simply the following. CSU should have a much larger lead. The Lady Marauders missed too many shots. Had those shots been made, their lead would at least be 20 or more points. As far as both teams go, ball handling and footwork have been bad. A combination of good defense and the game’s fast pace have led to a lot of mistakes and turnovers. Although the Lady Eagles are down by 11-Points, they are still very much in this game. CCU has not allowed CSU to run away with the game. After Halftime, CSU started with possession of the ball. Before the Lady Marauders could inbound the ball, they committed a turnover (5-Second Violation). Upon receiving possession, the Lady Eagles were unable to put any points onto the scoreboard. From 9:29 to 8:49, CSU went on an ensuing 6-0 run. At the 8:31 mark (of the 3^rd Quarter), CCU earned its first points. The Lady Eagles made a 2-Point Basket.

            Before a Timeout at 4:59, CSU turned the ball over four times. CCU turned the ball over three times. The Lady Marauders possessed a 41-22 lead. After the Timeout, Spaulding made 2-Foul Shots. By nailing a 3-Point Basket, Doddridge countered Spaulding’s conversion. From 3:22 to 2:27, the Lady Marauders outscored the Lady Eagles 4-2. Doddridge scored her team’s 2-Points. With 2:11 remaining in the 3^rd Quarter, a Timeout was called. For her very tough play on both offense and defense, CSU’s Mustafa Notter is making a name for herself. She reminds me of former Lady Marauder Jasmine Cooper. During the 3^rd Quarter’s final 1:57, CCU outscored CSU 6-4. Ruffin scored 5-Points. At the end of the 3^rd Quarter, CSU led CCU 51-33. As the 4^th Quarter got underway, CCU had possession of the ball. The Lady Eagles missed a shot. At 9:06, the Lady Eagles’ Defense intercepted a pass. CCU proceeded to go on a 6-0 run. After CSU went on an ensuing 3-0 run, a Timeout was called (6:12). The Lady Marauders’ possessed a 54-39 lead.

            Before another Timeout (4:07), CSU outscored CCU 7-6. For the Lady Eagles, Rawls scored 4-Points. Nine seconds after the Timeout (3:58), the Lady Marauders turned the ball over. CCU was unable to score. During the final 3:26, CSU went on an 11-5 run. With 5.0 Seconds remaining in the game, the Lady Eagles hit a 3-Point Basket. Those were the final points scored (in the game). For CCU, it was too late. By the Final Score of 72-50, CSU won the game. CSU’s Defense and Overall Speed ended up taking over the game. However, CCU would not quit. At the start of the 4^th Quarter, CCU went on a 6-0 run. The Lady Eagles were never able to overcome the Lady Marauders’ lead. The Lady Marauders wore the Lady Eagles down. That was obvious. They were tired. Actually, the Lady Marauders were tired too. CSU just did not allow fatigue to disrupt its overall gameplay.  As far as CCU is concerned, the Lady Eagles were not as lucky. Fatigue (among other aspects) brought them down (in a hard way). A comeback was not going to take place. With a loss, CCU exited Beacom-Lewis Gymnasium.