Cougars Can't Hang on in Conference Opener

Cleveland State couldn't close out the Green Jays in their conference opener.

The Cougars (2-2, 0-1) went into halftime with a seven-point lead on their home court, but Jackson State (3-1, 1-0) put together a second half come-back winning 84-75.

"I thought we did some good things early in the first half, but failed to turn the notch up defensively in the second half," head coach Rafael Howard said. "We've got to play much tougher defensively, Jackson came to play and shot almost 70% in the second half."

Jamarion Harvey proved to be tough to stop all night with a game high 36 points on the evening. Three other Green Jays starters also scored in double figures.

"It's tough to win if you can't generate stops," Howard said.

Josiah Marsh scored a team high 17 points for the Cougars with Jeremiah Hayes putting in 16. Landen Paquette tallied 13 points off the bench.

Cleveland State remains at home for their next game hosting Chattanooga State (2-1, 0-1). The Tigers dropped their conference opener at Volunteer State (2-2, 1-0) 99-71 on Saturday.

"We'll watch film tomorrow and get ready for Chatt State on Wednesday," Howard said.

The Cougars and Tigers will each be looking for the first conference win with tip-off scheduled for Wednesday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Edwin Bear
Cleveland State Community College
Sports Information/Media Relations