GARY | Playing for the Alabama-based Tuskegee University doesn't give Chicago native and Morgan Park High School graduate Aaron Ragsdale many chances to showcase his game close to home.

But after two years, Ragsdale finally returned to the Chicagoland area as NCAA Division II Tuskegee edged NAIA Wilberforce 61-57 in the first game of a college doubleheader Friday during the second annual Lakeshore Classic at the Genesis Center.

"All my family was here to see me," said Ragsdale, who came off the bench to put up a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds for Tuskegee. "It was good to be back near home because I haven't played near home since high school.

"This is a nice facility, and we enjoyed ourselves. I was a little bit nervous playing in front of my parents, because they expect a lot, but it was a good experience."

After Wilberforce went up by six points during the second half, Ragsdale shifted gears to a whole new level to help Tuskegee fight back, much to the appreciation of coach Leon Douglas. Ten of Ragsdale's points came in the second half.

"This kid is one of my horses," Douglas said while pointing to Ragsdale. "Any time you have kids getting floor burns and busting their (butts), you can't be disappointed with the effort. We discussed at halftime that you can never take an opponent lightly, but I complement my guys for fighting back."

In the second game, Indianapolis native Anthony Passley paced Central State with 20 points and 18 rebounds in a 91-55 rout of Fisk.

Central State led 38-23 with three minutes left in the first half and was able to settle into a groove. But that settling down is exactly what Central State coach Doug Lewis didn't want his team to do. A lackadaisical defensive effort allowed Fisk to stay within striking distance early in the second half until a Central State timeout lit a fire underneath the Marauders, who were able to pull away.

"Anthony played solid, but we didn't play great," Lewis said. "We played down to the competition. Sometimes, motivation is everything for these guys."

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Lakeshore Classic

Tuskegee 61, Wilberforce 57

Central State 91, Fisk 55