Contact: Renee Adam
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Ursuline (6-21 in 2011-12) at Cleveland State (12-19 in 2011-12)
Date: Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Site: Wolstein Center
Series: First Meeting
SETTING THE SCENE
Cleveland State state will close out the exhibition portion of its schedule Sunday (Nov. 4), as the Vikings host Ursuline College at 2:00 p.m. Sunday's exhibition is the second of two this season, as CSU defeated Walsh University (83-67) last Thursday (Nov. 1). CSU returns eight letterwinners and three starters from last year's squad, including Preseason Horizon League First Team honoree senior Shalonda Winton. Ursuline ended the 2011-12 season with a 6-21 record, and returns 10 letterwinners under first-year head coach Shannon Sword. Sword, who is a 2004 graduate of Cleveland State, played one year under the guidance of Kate Peterson Abiad, who started her coaching career at CSU during the 2003-04 season.
PREVIEWING CLEVELAND STATE
This season's starting lineup will consist of two seniors and three sophomores, led by senior Shalonda Winton (18.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.7 apg), a preseason first team all-league pick. Winton, along with classmate Honesty King (8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.8 apg) and the sophomore trio of Cori Coleman (8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.3 apg), Imani Gordon (3.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.8 apg) and Kiersten Green (3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.3 apg) will form the backbone of the Viking roster. This group combined for 96 starts last season and recorded over 65-percent of CSU's scoring and over 60-percent of the rebounding. The starting five will be joined by three other returners; seniorKaila Montgomery (1.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.5 apg), junior Haley Schmitt (1.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.2 apg) and sophomore Tess Zufall (1.2 ppg, 0.3 rpg, 0.2 apg). The eight returning letterwinners will be joined by four freshmen this season, guards Adesuwa Aideyman(Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Reynoldsburg) and Jasmine Flanagan (Corona, Calif./Centennial) and forwards Allison Mitchell (South Point, Ohio/South Point) and Nafeshia Holifield (Milwaukee, Wis./Milwaukee Vincent).
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HEAD COACH Kate Peterson ABIAD
Cleveland State head coach Kate Peterson Abiad is entering her 10th season at the helm of the Vikings, and became the all-time winningest coach at CSU last season. Peterson Abiad is the third coach in program history to record 100 career victories, currently owning a record of 118-159. During her tenure, Peterson Abiad has led the Vikings to four 19-win seasons, two Horizon League Championships and two trips to the NCAA Tournament.
39TH SEASON OF CSU BASKETBALL
The 2012-13 season will be Cleveland State's 39th year of intercollegiate competition. The Vikings have compiled an all-time record of 427-594 (.418), while also going 82-104 (.441) in 11 seasons in the Horizon League.
WINTON NAMED PRESEASON ALL-LEAGUE
Senior Shalonda Winton was named to the 2012-13 Preseason All-Horizon League first team in voting conducted by the league's nine head coaches, sports information directors and select media. Winton's selection to the preseason all-league first team is the second honor of her career, as she was also tabbed a first team honoree as a junior. Last season Winton ranked third in the league in scoring (18.3), fourth in rebounding (9.8), third in defensive rebounding (6.7), sixth in blocked shots (1.1), seventh in offensive rebounds (3.0) and eighth in steals (1.8) and free throw percentage (.772).
RECORDS WATCH
Entering her senior season Shalonda Winton is in position to rewrite the Cleveland State career record book, ranking in the top-15 in eight categories. After becoming the 23rd Viking to record 1,000 career points last year, Winton enters the season ranked 12th in scoring (1,181 points), seventh in rebounding (763 rebounds), second in defensive rebounds (499), fourth in offensive rebounds (264) and free throws made (316), seventh in free throws attempted (437) and blocked shots (77) and 10th in games started (87).
CSU VS. TEAMS IN 2012 POSTSEASON
The Vikings will play 10 games against teams that advanced to postseason play last year, including Green Bay who earned an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Along with Green Bay, CSU will face VCU (WNIT), Miami (OH) (WNIT), New Hampshire (WBI), Detroit (WNIT), Wright State (WBI) and could also possibly face Toledo (WNIT).
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR MARCH
The annual Horizon League Championship will begin with a single opening round game on March 11 and the quarterfinals on March 13 at campus sites. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinals on March 15 and the championship game on March 17.
CSU HOOPS LUNCHEON RETURNS
The fourth annual CSU Hoops Luncheon Series will debut this week on Thursday, Nov. 8, with Viking basketball fans having the opportunity to get preseason updates from CSU basketball head coaches Kate Peterson Abiad and Gary Waters. The luncheon will take place on the fifth floor Viking Loge of the Wolstein Center annex and reservations can be made by calling (216) 687-5454.
UP NEXT
The Vikings will open the regular season this Friday (Nov. 9) against South Dakota at 5:00 p.m. Friday's home opener will be a doubleheader with the CSU men's team, as they will take on Grambling at 7:30 p.m. following the women's contest.