Central State Escapes with, 60-53, Win Over UDC
Washington, DC: February 20, 2010-In an excitingly close contest, the visiting Central State University Marauders Men's Basketball Team escaped with a, 60-53, win over the University of the District of Columbia Firebirds this afternoon at the UDC Sports Complex. Central, who came into town sporting an 18-5 record and ranked 6th in the NCAA Midwest Region, were shocked by the up tempo, exciting, in your face play of the 1-17 Firebirds.
UDC's junior guard Tim Ellison (Alexandria, VA) ignited the Firebirds with his game-high 26 point performance, enabling them to stay close and go into the break leading 29-28. UDC out-played Central in the first half, shooting 61 percent (11 for 18) from the field, 100 percent from beyond the arc and 50 percent (4 of 8) from the charity stripe. Central shot 43 percent (12 for 28) from the field, 27 percent (3 for11) from three-point range and 50 percent (1 of 2) from the free-throw line.
Ellison opened the scoring hitting two free throws at 18:37 after being fouled while attempting to make a jump shot. UDC then exploded with a 19-9 tear, before Central scored at the 9:54 mark. Twelve of Ellison's 26 points were scored in the first half.
The Firebirds extended their lead to 27-19 on another run as freshman guard Kenneth James (Arlington, VA), freshman guard Keith Brooks (Harlem, NY) , sophomore forward Chris Leach (Washington, DC) and Ellison connected on a variety of shots to push the lead to 29-28. Sophomore guard Cole Prophet (Sandusky, OH) led the Central charge back, to close the gap to a margin of 1, canning a three-pointer, as the half ended.
Central gained their first lead of the game with 18:38 remaining when senior guard Robert Harris (Trotwood, OH) made a layup, after he had completed a 3-point play to knot the score at 31, scoring on a layup and hitting a free-throw. Harris scored 10 second half points to lead the Central comeback.
UDC stayed close to Central in the half, trimming a 10 point lead to 7 when Ellison drained a 3-pointer with 5:01 remaining. Central's junior guard Christopher Montgomery (Detroit, MI) scored the last points of the game, hitting a jumper with 4:00 minutes remaining.
Central's season scoring leader, junior forward Anthony Passley was ejected from the game with 17:24 remaining after fouling Brooks and making a statement to the referee that resulted in a technical foul.
Three Central players were in double figures, led by Prophet with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal. Harris followed with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Junior guard Wesley Jones (Indianapolis, IN) added 11 points, and 3 rebounds.
Brooks joined Ellison in double figures for the Firebirds with 10 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Leach followed with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
Central shot 43 percent (25 for 58) from the field, 30 percent ( 7 for 23) from beyond the arc and 75 percent (3 of 4) from the charity stripe for the game . UDC shot 44 percent ( 20 for 45) from the field, 46 percent (6 of 13) from beyond the arc and 54 percent (7 of 13) from the charity stripe.
UDC (1-18) travels to Newport News, Virginia on February 23, to play The Apprentice School at 6 p.m.