In THE Central State University’s (CSU) last game (Saturday, December
5, 2015 against Paine College – PC -); the Marauders lost the game in the
Second Half. At Halftime, CSU led PC 38-31. However, the Marauders would not
maintain that lead. After the game’s final buzzer went off, the Lions were
victorious. By only 2-Points (67-65), the Lions defeated the Marauders. As a
result of the loss, CSU now possesses an Overall Season Record of 0-4. The
Marauders came so close to obtaining their first victory. The team just came up
short of its goal. Is CSU better than its 0-4 Record shows? Although I may very
well shock some readers, I must say “YES.” Now, I am not trying to
create excuses for the team. A loss is a loss. I fully realize that fact. I
just feel this way. The Marauders have played a difficult Non-Conference
Schedule. In both Preseason and Regular Season Games, CSU has played teams that
are above its level of competition. Plain and simple, the Marauders have played
teams that are better than them. Those teams are better than the teams which
the Marauders are used to playing against. Playing tougher competition can only
serve to make the team better. It is always good to compete against such teams.
Until
CSU got into conference play (in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference – SIAC -), I have always felt this way. The Marauders could not be
adequately judged. Am I correct? That is a question which you must decide on
your own. Think about this. In its two, first-ever SIAC games, CSU only lost by
2-Points (in each game). That statement only proves one thing. Whether right or
wrong, my assessment cannot be far off. In today’s (Monday, December 7, 2015)
ensuing game, CSU will be facing off against another SIAC opponent. That
opponent is the Claflin University (CU) Panthers. In order to take a bite out
of the Marauders, the Panthers have come to Wilberforce, Ohio. Claflin won the
game’s tip-off. At 19:37, Adolph Caldwell nailed a 3-Point Basket. Less than a
minute later (18:52), Central State’s Sterling Gilmore made 2-Foul Shots. More
than a minute later, the Marauders’ Hosie Smith, Jr. made a 2-Point Basket. In
the form of a 3-Point Basket, the Panthers’ Patrell Rogers responded to the
Marauders’ 4-0 Scoring Run. Rogers’ conversion was a part of an 8-0 run (for
CU).
Before
a Media Timeout at 15:19, Smith made a 2-Point Basket. Going into the Timeout,
CU led CSU 11-6. The Panthers have size. They are using it to their advantage.
Up until this point, they have already blocked a few shots. The Panthers are
doing a good job of mixing size and speed together. At the basket, CU’s Austin
Lawton has been a force. Every time CSU’s players attack the basket, he is
there. Lawton goes on to deny any of the Marauders’ potential success. He keeps
on blocking shots. From 14:20 to 12:17, CU went on an 8-2 run. Rogers hit two
3-Point Baskets. Smith scored CSU’s 2-Points. At the 12:15 mark, a Timeout was
called. The Panthers lead the Marauders 21-8. CU’s Speed and Shooting Accuracy
are both killing CSU.
After
the Timeout, each team committed 1-Turnover. Then, a Media Timeout was called
(11:14). From 10:14 to 8:03, the turnovers continued. Each team committed
2-Turnovers. Each team scored 2-Points. With 7:23 remaining in the First Half,
a Media Timeout was called. CU led CSU 23-10. Shortly after the Timeout, the
Marauders’ Jeremy Brown made a 2-Point Basket. His teammate Tre Edwards went on
to make 1-Foul Shot. At the 5:46, the
Panthers’ Triston Thompson attacked the basket. He was uncontested, and he picked
up 2-Points. From 5:57 to 4:24, the Panthers committed 3-Turnovers. The
Marauders had 1-Turnover. Before a Timeout at 4:14, CSU went on a 4-0 run. CSU
trailed CU by 8-Points (25-17).
With
3:50 remaining before Halftime, Rogers made a 2-Point Basket. Then, a Timeout
was called. From 3:24 to 3:04, CU turned
the ball over twice. CSU went on a 5-0 run. During the First Half’s final 2:14,
each team scored 5-Points. At the end of the First Half, CU leads CSU 32-27. In
all facets of this game, Claflin is dominating Central State. However, CSU is
mounting a comeback. At one point, CU had a double-digit lead. In order to
overpower the Marauders, the Panthers used height; power; and speed. The
Panthers were running all up-and-down the court. The Marauders were forced to
try and keep up. At times, they were extremely confused and disoriented.
However, the team has definitely gotten better. The Marauders are only trailing
by 5-Points (32-27).
When
the Second Half started, Claflin had possession of the ball. The Panthers went
on to turn the ball over. Then, Central State turned the ball over. At 18:55,
Brown stole the ball. He ended up being fouled. After he successfully made
2-Foul Shots, CSU trailed CU by 3-Points (32-29). From 18:40 to 17:19, CU went
on a 7-0 run. Caldwell scored 5-Points. Before a Timeout at 15:21, CSU
outscored CU 6-2. CU led CSU 41-35. The Panthers went on to get their lead back
to double-digits. Before another Timeout (11:31), the Panthers went on a 6-2
run. Caldwell nailed a 3-Point Basket. The score was CU 47 and CSU 37. After
the Timeout, CSU went on to commit 3-Turnovers. CU committed 2-Turnovers.
Scoring was minimal. The Panthers outscored the Marauders 3-1.
With
7:19 remaining in the game, the next Timeout was called. Before that moment,
each team scored 4-Points. CU’s points were the result of 2-Slam Dunks. The
Panthers possessed a 12-Point Lead (54-42). From 6:45 to 3:40, CSU chipped away
at CU’s lead. The Marauders went on a 9-1 run. Brown scored 5-Points. The
Marauders now trailed the Panthers by 4-Points (55-51). At the 3:32 mark, a
Media Timeout was called. After the Timeout, CU ended up committing
2-Turnovers. CSU outscored CU 4-0. Tom Johnson’s 2-Point Basket (at 1:37) tied
the game 55-55. For the remainder of the game, the Panthers would end up
scoring only 2-Points. That was a problem. The Marauders scored 8-Points.
Gilmore scored 6-Points. At the end of a very hard-fought game, CSU arose
victorious. The Final Score was 63-57.
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