CHICAGO (Jan. 25, 2009) – Senior David Holston (Pontiac, MI/Avondale HS) (Pontiac, Mich.) became the first Chicago State player to score 2,000 points thanks to a double-double of 23 points and 10 assists as the host Cougars captured a dominating 103-63 victory over visiting North Carolina Central Saturday night at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center. CSU improved its record to 11-9, while the Eagles dropped to 2-21 on the year.
The visitors posted an early 10-6 lead over the first 4:22 of the game after freshman Jamar Briscoe scored five straight points, including a three-pointer at the 15:38 mark. CSU later responded by scoring an 11-3 scoring drive that turned into a 17-13 lead following a dunk by sophomore Hajji Martin (Chicago, IL/Morgan Park) (Chicago, Ill.).
After the Eagles pulled within 19-17 at 12:55 after four straight points from junior Stevy Worah-Ozimo, the home team turned on the defensive jets as it produced a 40-14 run in the final 12-plus minutes with nine points from senior Mike Wilson (New York, NY/Mt. San Jacinto CC) and eight points by Holston to head into halftime with a 59-31 lead. Holston connected on a three at the 8:13 mark to eclipse the 2,000-point mark.
The Cougars opened the second half with a 14-8 run in the first six and a half minutes to increase their lead to 73-40 on a dunk from sophomore Carl Montgomery (Chicago, IL/Shepard) (Palos Heights, Ill.) at the 13:37 mark. Sophomore Brandan Smith (Bolingbrook, IL/Bolingbrook) (Bolingbrook, Ill.) connected on a three at 2:03 to push CSU over the century mark and give it a 40-point lead. NCCU would get no closer the rest of the way.
“It's a big load off our chest after Tuesday's loss and the biggest thing we could do was take it out on the next opponent, said CSU head coach Benjy Taylor. “We just wanted to get out to a fast start early in the game and we accomplished that.”
Montgomery added 21 points and four blocks, while senior John Cantrell (Pontiac, MI/Northern HS) (Pontiac, Mich.) recorded 10 points and nine rebounds. Senior Mike Wilson (New York, NY/Mt. San Jacinto CC) (New York, N.Y) also contributed 10 points and freshman Kabangu Tshinga Kasamba (St. Catherine's, ONT/St. Francis) (St. Catherine's, Ontario) added a season-high nine points as all 13 CSU players scored in the game.
Senior Phillip Branch produced 15 points to lead NCCU, while sophomore Vincent Davis added 13 points.
The Cougars continue their homestand on Monday as they host Horizon League foe Detroit at the Jones Convocation Center with the tip-off set for 7 p.m.
~ CSU ~
