Chicago, Ill. (January 4, 2026) — Chicago State men's basketball put together several strong stretches and showcased its depth on Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell 74–55 to visiting LIU in NEC Conference play at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center.
The Cougars received balanced scoring across the roster, with
three players finishing with at least nine points.
Stephen Byard led the way with
10 points and six rebounds, providing steady interior play on both ends.
Marcus Tankersley added
10 points, attacking the rim throughout the afternoon, while
Doyel Cockrill III delivered an energetic performance off the bench with
nine points, including a key spark during CSU's first-half run.
Chicago State's bench contributed
18 points, continuing to be one of the team's strengths as the season progresses. The Cougars also matched LIU with
30 points in the paint, showing their ability to generate quality looks around the basket. Defensively, CSU forced
17 LIU turnovers, turning several of them into transition opportunities.
Guard
Braelon Bush added five points, including a momentum-building three-pointer, while
Malek Robinson chipped in five points, three assists, and two steals as he helped guide the offense.
Despite the final margin, the Cougars battled throughout, trimming the deficit to four late in the first half and continuing to compete until the final buzzer. CSU's effort on the glass—highlighted by
14 offensive rebounds—kept possessions alive and demonstrated the team's resilience.
Chicago State now looks ahead to its next NEC matchup as the Cougars continue conference play and build on the positive stretches shown today.
