WSU Coach David Greer's post-game press conference.

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University men's basketball team (1-0 overall) won its season opener with a 70-53 home court victory over Central State (1-1 overall) Tuesday evening at the Matthaei.

Both teams had a sluggish first half as they combined for 24 turnovers (14 by the Marauders, 10 by the Warriors).  WSU shot just 25 percent (6-24) compared to 37 percent (10-27) for CSU, as the visitors held a 23-21 advantage at intermission.

The Marauders scored on the first possession of the second half on a jumper by Greg Rice to take a four-point lead.  The Warriors responded with a 7-0 run as four different players scored.

WSU held a one-point advantage, 30-29, with 15:48 left in the contest following a CSU jumper by Lee Tabb.  A 5-0 Wayne State run included a triple by freshman Bryan Coleman (Southfield, Mich./Lathrup) and a jumper from sophomore Mike Hollingsworth (Utica, Mich.).

After CSU's George Barrow split a pair from the foul line, the Warriors had a 7-0 run which included a lay-up by junior Stacey Waters (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance), a jumper by senior Ike Udanoh (Detroit, Mich./Warren Woods Tower) and a three-pointer from senior Bryan Smothers (Pontiac, Mich./Northern).  Following a Marauder jumper, sophomore Ian Larkin (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance) answered with a dunk.  A triple by junior Dale Brundidge (Southfield, Mich./Detroit Country Day) followed a lay-up by Barrow.

Another Barrow bucket preceded a 9-0 Warrior run.  Udanoh had four consecutive points during the streak which concluded on the first collegiate basket by freshman Gerald Williams-Taylor (Flint, Mich./Northern).  Wayne State held a 20-point lead at 56-36 with 6:25 left in the contest.

WSU's lead would never be less than 14 the rest of the way.

The Warriors had an impressive 54.5 percent shooting from the floor in the second half (18-33), actually better than their free throw percentage (52.6/10-19).

The Wayne State defense also tightened up holding Central State to 25 percent (8-32) from the field in the final 20 minutes.

All 10 WSU players that saw action scored led by Smothers, who had a game-high 16 points.  Udanoh added 11, while Hollingsworth chipped in with 10.  It was the third career game in double digits for Hollingsworth and 35 for Smothers.

Rice and Anthony Passley each had 11 points for CSU, who was an NCAA tournament team last season as an independent.

Central State had a 45-40 advantage on the boards as Barrow (CSU), Passley (CSU) and WSU's Jerry Oden (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) tied for game-high honors with eight rebounds.

Wayne State will play its second game of the year at home on Thursday at 7 p.m. against Lewis Universit.  The Flyers had a 17-12 mark a year ago and defeated DePaul in an exhibition contest earlier this month.