MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Despite five players scoring in double-figures, the Cleveland State women's basketball team came up short at Milwaukee Sunday afternoon, falling to the Panthers, 90-78. With the loss, the Vikings fall to 13-13 overall this season and 8-5 in Horizon League play.
The Vikings were led by Imani Gordon who notched her ninth double-double of the season with 28 points and 15 rebounds – just shy of her career-highs in both categories. Cori Coleman added 15 points for the Vikings, while Khayla Livingston added 11 and Adesuwa Aideyman and Haley Schmitt each notched 10.
The Vikings went into the halftime break trailing by nine points, at the 40-31 mark. To open the second frame, Milwaukee went on a 9-4 run, gaining a 14-point lead (49-35) with 16:43 left to play. The Vikings responded with a layup from Gordon and a three-pointer from Coleman to close the gap to single digits at 49-40 just over one minute later.
The Panthers then extended their lead back to double-digits (55-40) with back-to-back three-pointers, and held a double-digit lead for the next 9:59. With just over four minutes left to play and the score at 70-58 Milwaukee, Gordon converted a layup and then sank the ensuing free throw after getting fouled on the play, to bring the Vikings within nine points at 70-61.
Milwaukee then went on a 9-2 run, gaining their largest lead of the game at the 79-63 mark with 1:47 left on the clock. Over the final 1:36, CSU was able to outscore the Panthers, 15-11, but it wouldn't be enough as Milwaukee came away with the 12-point victory.
Over the final stretch, the Vikings got 10 points from Gordon, while all 11 Milwaukee points came from the free throw line.
For the contest, CSU shot 43-percent from the floor (31-for-71), while Milwaukee shot 45-percent from the field (26-for-57).
Individually, Gordon was 12-for-20 (.600) from the field, while Coleman was 6-for-13 (.461), with the 12 field goals for Gordon marking a career-high.
The Vikings will return to action next Thursday (Feb. 27), as they travel to Oakland for a 5:00 p.m. contest.
