After a strong second half performance, the Central State women’s basketball team took care of business Thursday night, defeating Wilberforce University at the Beacom-Lewis Gym. The Marauders scored 81 points, their second highest total of the season. With that win their record improves to 8-13 and Wilberforce falls to 5-13.
Brooklyn Morrow led the team in scoring for the third consecutive game, with 25 total points, her highest game total of the season. The junior forward shot 9 for 16 from the floor, and was almost perfect from the free throw line draining 7 out of 8. Junior point guard, Ashley McGee contributed 16 total points and recorded 3 steals which led the team. Freshman Deshundra Gober came through off the bench with 12 total points and 8 rebounds. Chloe Obasgoie led the team for the second straight game with 12 rebounds.
After ten lead changes, the score at the end of the first half was tied for the sixth time 43-43. The second half started out much like the first with the both teams trading punches. At the 13:40 mark the Marauders began to pull away, as they went on an 8-2 run to increase their lead by 9. The Marauders were able to distance themselves from Wilberforce because of 4 costly turnovers that led to points in the middle of the second half. In the second half, CSU scored 12 points off of turnovers and the Bulldogs could only get 3 off of the Marauder’s mistakes.
With 5 minutes left to go in the game, the Marauders led by 11 points. The Bulldogs could not get a rally going for the rest of the game. The Marauders aggressive offense and solid defense proved to be too much for Wilberforce to overcome in the closing minutes. The Marauders led by as much as 14 with a 90 seconds left and would end the game with 11 points more than the Bulldogs.
The Lady Marauders converted 32 field goals, the highest mark of the season. The bench came through for the Marauders scoring 28 points. The Marauders out-rebounded the Bulldogs 48-40. 48 rebounds is the second highest mark for the Marauders on the season.
Keeahna Fontes led the Bulldogs with 24 total points, shooting 9 for 14 from the floor and 5 for 6 from the free throw line. Wilberforce got strong shooting performances from DeBorah scoring 14 points, and from Dai’Tiara scoring 15 total points.
The Marauders will try for their ninth win of the season as the travel to Lake Erie College on Saturday. The Storm is riding an 8 game winning streak and have a record of 16-8