Goldey-Beacom again showed its mettle against formidable competition, only to be handed an 88-82 loss at Millersville in Millersville, PA.
Goldey-Beacom opened the game with explosive play, going on an 11-3 run that featured the squad shooting 5-of-9 from the floor and forcing four turnovers. Junior Ayshion Centeno (Pleasantville, NJ), named Monday to the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Weekly Honor Roll, and sophomore Zayon Marsh (Maplewood, NJ) each netted four points with senior Damani Thomas (Kingston, NY) knocking down a 3-pointer.
Both defenses began to assert themselves and it resulted in only a 35-34 GBC halftime lead. Senior Nazim Derry (Atlantic City, NJ) scored 14 points and Centeno added 10 for the Lightning, who held the Marauders to 35 percent shooting (12-of-34) from the field and 6-of-17 from three-point range.
The Lightning in the second half produced another bug spurt, netting 11 straight points to open their biggest lead at 52-44 with 15:09 left. Centeno again continued his attack on the rim with five points, along with Derry and sophomore Caleb Bates (Detroit, MI) each hitting a 3-pointer.
GBC fended off Millersville's charges for the next nine minutes, keeping things at a two-possession game most of the way in hopes of getting head coach TJ Dekmar his 100th victory.
But tonight would not be the night as the Marauders scored nine straight points to gain a 76-73 cushion with 3:40 left. C.J. McPherson gave his side the lead for the first time in roughly 12 minutes, capping the run on a 3-pointer.
Junior Cardin Joubert (Naples, FL) made a layup with 3:18 remaining for a 76-75 contest and the teams traded baskets for the next two minutes, putting the score at 81-79 Millersville lead with 68 seconds to go. Centeno looked to draw the Lightning even, but he missed a layup and J.D. Gross came up with a huge rebound.
The Marauders showed patience in letting the shot clock bleed and finally the ball found the hands of Matt Dade, whose layup off a great feed from Jaden Faulkner gave the home side an 83-79 cushion with 39 seconds left.
Joubert could net get a 3-pointer to go down and the rebound was handled by Gross, who canned two free throws with 24 seconds remaining for an 85-79 contest.
Centeno battled foul trouble most of the second half, but still closed with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting in what has been an astounding run. It is the third time this season he has hit that scoring total and he is averaging 17.9 points over his last seven contests.
Derry poured in 20 points to go with six assists, five 3-pointers and five steals. Marsh had 12 points and eight rebounds with Bates netting seven points for GBC (5-5).
Jahme Ested had 17 points and eight rebounds, Faulkner recorded 16 points, nine assists, six rebounds and six steals, Dade netted 15 points and Day Waters added 14 for the Marauders (6-2).
Millersville is ranked eighth in the latest D2 College Sports Communicators Atlantic Region Poll.
Goldey-Beacom is home Sunday against American International, beginning at 1:00 pm.
