In a battle of the two teams tied for second place in the Horizon League standings, Cleveland State fell just short, dropping a heartbreaker to Milwaukee 68-64 in overtime at the Wolstein Center Thursday night.
The Vikings fell to 8-8 and 3-2 in the league. Milwaukee improved to 10-5 and 4-1.
Cleveland State had a lead as high as nine points midway through the second half, and led by three with 17 seconds remaining. Milwaukee's BJ Freeman then drilled a three-pointer off a second-chance opportunity with 1.7 seconds left, which forced the extra session. Freeman led all scorers with 24 points in the game.
The Vikings got off to a strong start in OT, and led 64-60 with under two minutes remaining. Milwaukee responded by scoring the game's final eight points to surge ahead and hold on for the victory.
Tristan Enaruna led the way for the Vikings with 16 points, on 6-14 shooting from the floor. Tae Williams also finished in double figures, with 13 points. Williams also set a season-high with 13 rebounds, good for his second double-double of the season.
Jayson Woodrich and Deante Johnson finished with nine points apiece. Woodrich fell a point shy of a double-double, and registered a career-high with 10 rebounds. Johnson finished with nine boards.
Cleveland State started hot, as the Vikings scored the game's first seven points. A Deante Johnson jump shot at the 18:18 mark made it 7-0 CSU early.
The Panthers responded, knotting the score at 13 with just under 13 minutes to go. The two teams traded baskets and the score remained close for the rest of the half. Cleveland State led 29-26 at the break.
The Vikings methodically widened the lead as the second half pressed on. A Deshon Parker three at the 13:25 mark pushed the lead to eight, and then a Johnson jumper in the paint made it 44-35 at the 12-minute mark.
Milwaukee fought back, and briefly took the lead with 1:06 to go on a Freeman three that made it 53-52 Panthers. Johnson put the Vikings back in front on the ensuing possession, hitting two free throws with 31 seconds remaining.
Johnson then blocked a Milwaukee shot attempt on the next possession, and Woodrich grabbed the rebound and was promptly fouled with 17 seconds to go. He calmly sank both free throws to put the Vikings up three, setting the stage for Freeman's heroics.
Freeman missed the initial three-point attempt from the left corner, but an offensive rebound led to a kick-out pass right back to him, and he drilled the second attempt to force overtime.
Cleveland State outscored Milwaukee 8-4 in the early going of the extra session, but the Vikings couldn't find the bottom of the net in the closing minutes. Woodrich had a look at a game-tying three of his own in the final seconds, but couldn't connect.
Justin Thomas secured the rebound and was fouled. Thomas hit the front end of the one-and-one opportunity to put the Panthers up four and seal the game.
Cleveland State returns to the Wolstein Center for a matchup with Green Bay on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.