MOBILE, Ala. (February 6, 2022) – The Spring Hill College (SHC) men's basketball team finished a two-game season sweep of the Central State University (CSU) Marauders with a 70-66 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) victory at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center on Sunday evening.
The Marauders (6-13; 4-10 SIAC West) held a slim 30-29 advantage at halftime, but the Badgers came out of the locker rooms ready for action. SHC launched a 12-2 run that culminated in a 41-32 lead with 16:34 remaining.
CSU rallied three times over the final 12 minutes to cut the Badger advantage down to two points, but SHC fended off every attack. The final attempt by the Marauders came in the 30 seconds when CSU rallied to within 66-64, but
Beril Kabamba found an inside layup off an assisting pass from
Sam Davidson and subsequently made the additional free throw to make it 69-64 with 25 seconds left.
Georgios Kostikas came up with a crucial rebound on the next CSU possession, as Kabamba would make one of two free throws to seal the victory with 5 seconds on the clock.
Kabamba led SHC with 23 points and eight rebounds as
Jaden Gray poured in 13 points and
Tana Kopa added 11 points. The Badgers shot 43.9% (25-57) from the field and 22.2% (4-18) from 3-point distance, but lost 18 turnovers to six CSU steals.
Willie Jackson scored 20 points for the Marauders as the visitors from Ohio shot 34.5% (20-58) overall and 33.3% (4-12) from 3-point range. CSU won the rebounding battle 40-37, but suffered 20 turnovers to 10 SHC steals.
The Badgers (5-15, 4-9 SIAC West) will be at home again tomorrow night (Monday) at 7:30 p.m. for an SIAC game against the Kentucky State University (KSU) Thorobreds (6-10; 3-6 SIAC West) in the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center.
