MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Despite a strong first half, including a lead at the halftime break, the Cleveland State women's basketball team fell at Minnesota Wednesday afternoon, 93-76. The Vikings now stand at 1-1 on the young season, while Big Ten opponent Minnesota improves to 2-0.
The Viking offense was led by the senior trio of Cori Coleman, Imani Gordon, and Kiersten Green – who combined for 45 of Cleveland State's 76 points. Coleman had a team-high 18 points – including a career-high tying five three-pointers – while Gordon notched 15 points and Green added 12.
Coleman also led the Vikings with a career-high tying five assists and four steals against Minnesota.
After a sluggish start to the opening stanza, Cleveland State was able to gain an eight-point lead over the Gophers following a 10-0 run, putting the Vikings up 14-6 just six minutes into the contest. The two teams traded baskets over the next 2:02 then, until an Ashanti Abshaw jumper and Alexis Eckles free throw at the 11:19 mark gave Cleveland State its first double-digit lead of the contest at 22-12.
A 15-5 Minnesota run over the next four minutes tied the contest at 27-27 with 6:39 left on the clock, but the Vikings responded with 10 straight points, punctuated by a Brooke Smith three-pointer, to give the 10-point advantage back to Cleveland State at the 37-27 mark.
Although the Vikings were able to hold the advantage for the rest of the half, the Gophers closed the gap to just three points in the final seconds, sending the two teams into the halftime break with CSU up 44-41.
During the first half, the Vikings held Minnesota All-American candidate Rachel Banham to just nine points, while they forced Minnesota into 23 missed shots.
After the halftime break, the Vikings were able to hold onto their lead until the 14:31 mark, when Minnesota went on a 12-3 run to gain a 2-point advantage (55-53) – just their second lead of the game.
The Gophers, who would hold the advantage for the remainder of the contest, went on a 14-5 run over the next 5:44, extending their lead to double-digits at the 69-58 mark. Over the final 7:42, the Gophers outscored Cleveland State, 27-16, earning the 17-point victory.
For the game, Cleveland State recorded 25 assists on its 28 made field goals, as seven Vikings recorded at least two assists on the contest.
With her 18 points against Minnesota, Coleman now has 1,108 on her career – just the 18th Viking all-time to notch 1,100 career points.
The Vikings will continue their three-game roadswing on Friday (Nov. 21), traveling to Florida Atlantic for a 7:00 p.m. contest.