Cedarville defeated Central State Tuesday night 98-72 to extend their winning streak to three games.
Cedarville head coach Pat Estepp said a big key to their win streak is their defense.
“In our stretch when we lost seven games in a row we weren’t defending very well,” Estepp said. “We needed to become a team whose defense lead to their offense and I think that’s starting to be who we have been the last three games.”
The Jackets’ offense was at its best against the Marauders.
The Jackets (8-11) made 66 percent of their shots, including 63 percent of their three-point attempts. Five Jackets scored in double figures. Patrick Bain lead the way with 20 points. J.C. Faubion scored 18 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out eight assists. Robert Okoro added 16 points. Joey Morlan and Kwenton Scott each scored 12 points off the bench.
The Jackets also assisted 23 of their 39 baskets, something else Estepp was pleased about.
“I’m really, really proud of our ball movement,” Estepp said. “We were moving well without the ball, and therefore the ball moved.”
Bain got the Jackets started, scoring their first four points of the game. Then he hit a three-pointer later on to give the Jackets a 14-2 lead five minutes in.
Joey Morlan hit a three off the bench to make Cedarville’s lead 17-4. He also hit back-to-back threes a few possessions later to put the Jackets up 23-12.
The next Jacket basket came on a Robert Okoro dunk that was set up perfectly by a pass from Faubion.
Cedarville continued to move the ball around and get open looks the rest of the half. The Jackets went into the half leading 49-31.
Bain lead Cedarville’s scoring with 14 first-half points. Morlan also shot four-for-eight from three for 12 more points.
Cedarville did not let up in the second half. Bain hit another three to put the Jackets up 57-36. Faubion converted a tough drive to the basket and made the free throw after getting fouled to increase the lead 62-36 with 17:18 left.
Scott hit a three later in the half and made a layup on the next possession to put the Jackets up 77-51.
Kyle Laffin hit a three in the final minutes he played to put the Jackets up 96-67. Both teams added a few more points each to make the final score 98-72.
The Jackets will host Malone in their next game Thursday night at 7:00 p.m.
Josh Burris is a senior journalism major and the sports editor for Cedars. He is interested in sports broadcasting and reporting. He enjoys watching sports, lifting, and listening to rock and rap music.
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