QUICK HITS
- Freshman Daylen Williams scored a season-high 10 points and grabbed a season-high seven rebounds to lead the Vikings
- Tyrese Potoma scored 10 points for the Vikings on 4-of-10 shooting from the floor
- Tre Gomillion added seven points and seven rebounds
- Cleveland State limited Missouri State to 37.7 percent shooting from the field
- Freshman Jeremy Sanchez provided the Vikings with a solid boost off the bench
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Freshman Daylen Williams scored 10 points and collected seven rebounds and Tyrese Potoma added 10 points, but Cleveland State could not overcome an early deficit as the Vikings fell to Missouri State 73-53 on Tuesday in JQH Arena.
The Vikings put forth a valiant effort against the Bears despite falling behind by 16 points at halftime. Cleveland State battled in the second half and were outscored by only four points after halftime.
Williams had has top all around game of the season for the Vikings as he finished with 10 points and seven boards. He was 3-of-5 from the three-point line and 1-of-2 from the foul line to tie for the team lead in scoring.
Potoma came off the Vikings bench to score 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting from the floor. He also added two assists and a rebound to his nights work.
Tre Gomillion had another solid performance for the Vikings as he finished with seven points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Cleveland State, which dropped to 1-2 on the season, fought back in the second half on the strength of its defense and hustle.
Trailing by 24 points with 9:10 to play in the second half, Cleveland State would mount a charge.
Deante Johnson started the Vikings comeback with a jumper before a free throw by Tyrik Dixon pushed the Bears lead to 63-40. Williams answered with a three-pointer on the other end for Cleveland State to cut the lead to 63-43, but Lamont West countered with a jumper for Missouri State that increased the lead to 65-43.
A jumper by Kasheem Thomas and four consecutive free throws by Hugo Ferreira trimmed the Bears lead to 65-49 at the 4:07 mark of the second half. Cleveland State had a good look at a three-pointer that would have brought the Vikings to within 13 points, but it rattled out and the Bears were able to push the lead to 20 points in the final four minutes.
Cleveland State limited Missouri State to 32.0 percent shooting from the floor in the second half after permitting the Bears to shoot 42.9 percent in the first half.
Cleveland State returns to action on Friday (Nov. 15) at South Carolina at 7 p.m.