Central State one step closer to NCAA tourney

Central State’s Wesley Jones raises over the double team of Saint Joseph’s College at Central State University on Monday, Feb. 22.

Staff photo by Teesha McClam Central State’s Wesley Jones raises over the double team of Saint Joseph’s College at Central State University on Monday, Feb. 22.

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By David DiCenzo, Contributing Writer Updated 9:52 AM Tuesday, February 23, 2010

WILBERFORCE — Beacom/Lewis Gym has become a dreaded spot for visiting teams. And with an NCAA Division II tournament berth on the line, the Central State Marauders men's basketball team wasn't in a hospitable mood.

CSU remained undefeated at home this season with a critical 87-75 win over Saint Joseph’s College of Indiana on Monday, Feb. 22.

“This gets us one step closer to the NCAAs,” said coach Doug Lewis. “We had many different motivations for this game.

“I have a lot of guys who haven’t won championships. They want that. They want to be winners.”

Central State (20-5, 10-0 at home) entered the game ranked sixth in the Division II Midwest Region, with the top eight teams to receive automatic berths into the tournament. The importance of the game was palpable and in the dying minutes, the crowd began waving keys, signifying that it was time for Saint Joe’s to go home.

“I believe that this was the biggest game of our season,” said senior Gino Smith, who had a game-high 22 points. “We had to bring it.”

The trio of Smith, Anthony Passley (19) and sophomore point guard Cole Prophet (18) combined for 59 of the Marauders’ 87 points, helping avenge a 70-62 road loss to the Pumas on Dec. 14.

“We came out with a lot of intensity,” Prophet said. “The NCAAs were on the line and we owed them from last time.

“We had this marked on the calendar for a month.”

Jake Hassler, a 6-foot-9 sophomore scored 15 points and kept the Pumas in it early in the second half with seven quick points from hard work in the paint. But Central State overcame foul trouble and sloppy play to pull away.

A Passley turnaround jumper right after Prophet’s 3 from the right baseline put the hosts up 60-51. Junior guard Wes Jones followed up with some clutch shots from beyond the arc before Smith extended the lead to 16 with a dunk as the Saint Joseph’s offense dried up.

“When we started hitting our 3s, our defensive intensity stepped up,” said Prophet.

On the verge

Central State sits more comfortably in the Division II Midwest Region’s top 8 following a key win Monday, Feb. 22. The region’s top 8 receive automatic berths to the postseason, and CSU has two games left.

1. Kentucky Wesleyan

2. Drury

3. Grand Valley State

4. Quincy

5. Findlay

6. Central State

7. Rockhurst

8. Ferris State

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