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MEN ROUT ESSEX TO GIVE CSM HOMECOMING SPLIT Monday, February 3 - After a week of homecoming activities, the men's basketball team hammered Essex 86-71 before a festive crowd of 900, the largest of the season. In the opening game, the Lady Hawks hung tough with 24th ranked Louisburg for a half, before falling 85-40. The Hawks jumped out early against Essex, taking a 21-12 lead half way through the first half. CSM (5-18, 3-11) used full court pressure to force the Knights into numerous turnovers. The Hawks converted most of the turnovers into fast break baskets, and took a 46-33 halftime lead. Essex was unable to solve the Hawks pressure in the second half, and Josh Dickson's slam dunk put CSM ahead 56-42 with 14:20 left. The Knights did make one run, and two made free throws pulled Essex to within eight at 72-64 with 4:01 left. CSM promptly took control of the game, and Essex never seriously threatened the rest of the way. Jacob Saffran led a balanced scoring attack with 19, and James Shepherd added 14. Brian Kennedy scored 33 for the Knights. In the first game it looked like Cinderella might go to the prom, as the Lady Hawks hung right with 24th ranked Louisburg (14-2). Ashley Becraft and Shanita McPherson both led CSM with 9 points in the half. The Lady Hawks took advantage of numerous Louisburg fouls to shoot 14 for 20 from the charity stripe to keep the game close. CSM (2-16, 0-9) led several times in the first half, the last lead coming at 6:02 after Shanita McPherson made two free throws to put the Lady Hawks up 21-19. Louisburg edged ahead over the final 5:00 of the half to take a 33-26 halftime lead. The clock struck midnight in the second half, as the Lady Canes dominated, outscoring CSM 52-14 on the way to a 85-40 victory. The Lady Hawks only had two opportunities at the free throw line (making both), and were out rebounded 56-32 for the game. Louisburg's Kindra Lee led all scorer's with 16 points. Ashley Becraft and Shanita McPherson scored 11 for CSM, and Cheyann Gilroy added 9.
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