VIDEO: Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame Comments
ATHENS, Ohio – Kiersten Green recorded her 1,000th career point Monday evening, as the Cleveland State women's basketball team fell to Ohio University, 71-64. The loss drops the Vikings to 7-5 on the season, while Ohio improves to 9-2.
Green became the 25th Viking to record 1,000 career points at the 6:57 mark of the first half, converting her fourth three-pointer of the contest. Green is the second Viking on the current roster to reach 1,000 career points, joining classmate Cori Coleman who achieved the feat last season.
Green finished the game with a team-high 19 points – including a 5-for-8 effort three-point – while Coleman finished with 18 points and Imani Gordon tallied her second double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Freshman Allyssa Copley recorded her first collegiate points against the Bobcats, finishing with two points and one assist in four minutes of action.
Despite the loss, Cleveland State shot 42-percent from the field (21-for-49) and 50-percent from three-point (9-for-18), and outrebounded the Bobcats, 39-34.
After trailing by as many as eight points during the opening half, the Vikings were able to battle their way back and go into the halftime break with the score tied at 27-27.
Ohio was then able to open the second half on an 11-6 run over the first four minutes, gaining a 38-33 lead at the 16:13 mark and held the advantage over the next six minutes. After battling their way back once again, a pair of free throws from Green at the 10:06 mark tied the contest at 45-45, and then a Coleman layup just 30 seconds later gave CSU the 47-45 advantage.
The two teams then traded points over the next few possessions, until a three-pointer from Green and Gordon free throw put the Vikings up by three at 58-55 with 5:30 left on the clock. CSU was able to hold the lead over the next 1:32, but a 5-2 run from Ohio gave the lead back to the Bobcats at 61-60 with just under four minutes left on the clock.
Ohio was then able to hold the lead over the final four minutes, as the Vikings missed seven field goals and committed three turnovers over the final stretch. The Bobcats went 7-for-8 from the free throw line over the final 2:30, clinching the seven-point victory.
The Vikings will return home to host Bluefield State on Monday, Jan. 5 in their final non-league contest of the regular season. Tip is slated for 7:00 p.m. at the Wolstein Center.