Feb. 1, 2008
Contact: Brian McCann
CHICAGO, Ill. - Josh Mayo scored 29 points and the Vikings were out-scored 10-0 during a crucial six-minute span around halftime as UIC handed Cleveland State its third straight defeat, 74-68, in the UIC Pavilion.
The loss, which drops CSU to 14-8 overall and 7-3 in Horizon League play, spoiled a great opportunity for the Vikings in their quest for a league title.
A win would have put CSU into a first place tie with Butler (8-2), which is idle until next Tuesday. In addition, with Milwaukee losing at Detroit, CSU would have been a game-and-a-half ahead of the Panthers. Instead, CSU remains in second place, a half-game ahead of Milwaukee.
After opening the league slate with seven straight wins, the Vikings have dropped three straight on the road with each game having the same template. CSU had the upper hand in each game until a cold spell offensively allowed the home team to take the lead with the Vikings proving ultimately unable to comeback.
The blueprint held true at UIC as CSU led for the majority of the first half, leading 31-27 at the intermission. The Flames answered with an 8-0 run over the first 4:08 of the second stanza to take the lead for good.
"They threw the first punch and we didn't answer," CSU head coach Gary Waters said of the game-turning run. "You've got to give them credit because they play real well on their home court. This was a different team from the one we played in Cleveland."
Mayo, who scored just 11 points in the initial meeting this season, was spectacular. He was nine-for-11 from the field, including a near-perfect four-for-five from three-point, and seven for nine from the line en route to scoring the most points by a Viking opponent this year.
"Mayo played well," Waters said. "Although there were a couple of instances where we left him alone, for the most part he had to shoot with a hand in his face and he showed great confidence."
Scott Vandermeer added 14 points and five blocks while Karl White chipped in with 11 points.
Joe Davis was the only Viking to score in double figures, coming off the bench to lead CSU with a career-high 27 points. Cedric Jackson added eight points, a game-high 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
The Vikings got off to a slow start, trailing 8-2 (15:56) and 9-4 (15:03) before running off 11 straight points to take a 15-9 lead with 10:43 left. Davis keyed the spurt, scoring seven straight points in the middle of the run.
UIC rallied to take a 21-20 lead with 7:21 left but a three-pointer from Kevin Francis followed by baskets from Davis and J'Nathan Bullock rebuilt the Viking lead and sent CSU to the locker room with a 31-27 lead.
The tied however turned just before the break as Mayo got loose to knock down a jumper with three seconds left.
The second half started with Vandermeer and Mayo each making one of two free throws after being fouled on the Flames' opening possession with the fouls sending both Bullock and George Tandy to the bench with their third personal each.
Spencer Stewart knocked down a three-pointer with 18:41 left to give UIC the lead for good. Mayo followed with another free throw and Vandermeer scored in the lane to put the Flames ahead, 35-31 with 15:52 remaining.
Although CSU would cut the lead to one (43-42) and two (61-59) down the stretch, the Flames would quickly answer each time, denying the Vikings the ball and the opportunity to tie or take the lead.
Cleveland State remains in the Windy City to face Loyola on Saturday (Feb. 2) at 7:00 p.m. CST.
