GAME #9
@ VCU
2 p.m. | Sun., Dec. 15
Richmond, Va.
GAME LINKS
Live Stats | Live Video
SETTING THE SCENE
After a brief one-game stint at the Wolstein Center, the Cleveland State women's basketball team will return to the road this weekend, traveling to VCU for a 2:00 p.m. contest on Sunday, Dec. 15. Sunday's game against VCU will be just the second meeting between the two teams, as Cleveland State won the first-ever meeting last season, 68-57. The Vikings enter the weekend with an even 4-4 record, while VCU stands at 7-1 so far this year.
LAST TIME OUT
The Vikings evened their record at 4-4 on the season after defeating Ohio University, 76-64, last Thursday at the Wolstein Center. For the seventh time this season the Vikings had at least three players score in double figures, including Haley Schmitt who had a game-high 20 points. Imani Gordon chipped in 18 points, while Kiersten Green added 13.
A WIN SUNDAY WOULD…
Put the Vikings over .500 for the season…Mark CSU's second straight victory and the fourth out of the last five games…Keep the Vikings perfect against VCU (2-0 all-time).
SCOUTING THE RAMS
VCU enters Sunday's contest with a 7-1 overall record this season and currently on a six-game win streak…Sunday's contest will be just the second time that the Rams will play at home this season…VCU's lone loss on the season came at Ohio State (83-71) in their second game of the year…Throughout the first eight games VCU is averaging 80.9 points per contest - and is outscoring its opponents by an average of 14.3 points per game…Four Rams are averaging double-digit points so far this season, led by Robyn Parks who is averaging 21.0 points per game along with 10.6 rebounds per game…Isis Thorpe (14.5 ppg), Keira Robinson (11.6), and Jessica Pellechio (10.3) are the others averaging double-digit points this year.
CSU PICKING UP THE PACE
After starting the season with a 1-3 mark, the Vikings have rebounded over the last two weeks, winning three out of their last four games. During this stretch, Cleveland State has earned victories over Morehead State, IUPUI, and Ohio.
SCHMITT NOTCHES FIRST DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Haley Schmitt led the Vikings against Ohio last Thursday (Dec. 5), posting the first double-double of her career with 20 points and 10 rebounds - both of which marked career-highs. Schmitt was 7-for-15 from the field, and 4-for-7 from behind-the-arc, and also tallied two assists, one block, and one steal. She became the second Viking to record a double-double this season, and the 18th Horizon League player to do so.
…AND TALLIES FIRST 20-POINT GAME
Haley Schmitt's 20-point effort against the Bobcats was the first of her career, and just the fourth 20+ point game from a Viking this season. She joins teammates Imani Gordon and Kiersten Green in the 20-point club, while she is 17th Horizon League player to achieve the feat this season.
LIVINGSTON EARNS HORIZON LEAGUE WEEKLY HONORS
Following her performance against Ohio last Thursday Khayla Livingston was honored by the Horizon League, earning 'Freshman of the Week' accolades. The award is the first of the season for the Vikings. Livingston notched a career-high nine points, three assists, two rebounds, and one steal against the Bobcats.
VIKINGS POST SEASON-BEST MARK FROM CHARITY STRIPE
As a team, Cleveland State recorded a .840 free throw percentage against Ohio last Thursday - marking a season-best performance. The Vikings were 21-for-25 from the free throw line, converting at least 20 free throws for the second time this season (30 vs. Morehead State). Kiersten Green was perfect from the line (2-for-2), while Khayla Livingston (5-for-6) and Haley Schmitt (2-for-3) only missed one free throw each.
COLEMAN CLOSING IN ON 700 CAREER POINTS
After her seven-point performance against Ohio last time out, Cori Coleman is just one-point shy of notching 700 on her career. Coleman, who is averaging 10.1 points per game this season, enters Sunday's game at VCU with 699 career points. She leads all current Vikings in career points, and has tallied 81 points so far this season.
GORDON & GREEN RACK UP THE DOUBLE-DIGIT GAMES
The junior duo of Kiersten Green and Imani Gordon have posted double-digit points in all eight games so far this season - accounting for 259 points, or 45-percent of CSU's offense. Entering the weekend, Gordon ranks eighth among league players averaging 16.4 points per game, while Green ranks ninth (16.0 ppg), making CSU one of just three teams with at least two players ranked in the top-10.
SCHMITT LEADS LEAGUE IN FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
For the second straight week, Haley Schmitt leads the Horizon League in field goal percentage, posting a .554 clip after the first eight games of the season. Schmitt has converted 36 of her 65 attempts from the floor, and has notched at least a 60-percent field goal percentage in five games this year. Schmitt also leads the league in three-point field goal percentage (.500), converting 11 of her 22 attempts so far this year.
VIKINGS LEADING THE WAY
As a team, Cleveland State leads the Horizon League in three statistical categories, while ranking in the top-three in five others. After the first five weeks of the season, the Vikings lead the league in field goal percentage (.434), three-point field goal percentage (.373), and steals (10.6). CSU ranks third in scoring offense (71.8), scoring defense (70.0), free throw offense (.717), assists (14.1), and turnover margin (+4.0).