Central State University Athletics

The Marauder Men’s and Women’s basketball teams will be hosting Kentucky State University this Saturday Jan. 23rd at 5:00pm and 7:00pm respectively. This marks an important Marauder double-header and promises to have all of the intense basketball action this classic rivalry usually produces.  Both schools, rich in HBCU basketball history, always bring their best to this night and fierce competition is sure to be the outcome seen by all in attendance. In the first game the Lady Marauder’s will be taking on the Kentucky State University Women’s team. And the second game pits the Marauder Men’s Basketball squad, currently ranked 5^th in the NCAA DIV II Midwest region, against the KSU Thorobred Men’s Team.

 The Lady Marauder’s enter their game with a 6-11 overall record coming off a loss against Ohio Dominican on Tues. The Lady Marauders will try and get back on the right track Sat. against the KSU Thorobred Women who enter the game with 9-5 record. The KSU Women’s come to Central State fresh off a Thursday night overtime win against Albany State University. The women’s game should produce some interesting match ups for both teams. The Thorobred women are led by Vaughn and Harper both averaging 12ppg.  The Lady Marauders are led by Brooklyn Morrow averaging 11.7ppg and Ashley McGee also contributing 10.4 ppg.  The rebounding battle will prove to be an important element as both teams are struggling to out rebound their opponents.  For the Lady Marauders putting the KSU women on the free throw line might be a key to the game as the Thorobreds' are a dismal 57% from the charity stripe this season.

The Marauder Men definitely come into their game with the upper hand as the 5^th ranked team in the NCAA DIV II Midwest Region and a stellar 15-3 record. The KSU men on the other hand seem to be struggling to find their identity with a 3-10 overall record. Tony Johnson is providing some much needed leadership for the Thorobreds’ at 15.1 ppg. The Marauder Men’s defense should have no problem getting the stops needed to handle business on their home floor. The CSU men got another road win on Thursday night at Marygrove College.  Things are really heating up for the CSU Men as they enter their last eight games of the season with a top five regional ranking and their sights set on the NCAA DIV II Tournament.  Anthony Passeley leads all Marauder scorers at 13.4 ppg but there are three other Marauder Men (Prophet, Smith, and Jones) averaging between 12.3 and 12.9 ppg, with another two players (Harris, and Pledger) both averaging 9 ppg.  The balanced offensive attack is a big key to the success of their season, but of course the “lock -em-up” man to man defensive leads the way and sets the tone for the Marauder Men.