VIDEO: Highlights | Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame Comments
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Behind a strong second half push, the Cleveland State women's basketball team got back in the win column Saturday afternoon, defeating Detroit, 71-65. With the win the Vikings are now 10-6 overall this season and 2-1 in Horizon League action, while Detroit falls to 6-11 (1-3 HL). The win also improved CSU's home record to 8-1 this season.
Four of Cleveland State's five starters finished with double-digits, led by Cori Coleman who was perfect from the floor on the game. Coleman notched 19 points on a 7-for-7 performance from the field (2-for-2 from three-point) and posted six rebounds and three steals. Alexis Eckles tallied her third double-double of the season with 12 points and a career-high tying 13 rebounds, while Imani Gordon notched 18 points and eight boards, and Kiersten Green tallied 11 points.
After trailing by 13 points early on in the first half, the Vikings were able to close the stanza on a 15-5 run, going into the halftime break trailing by just one point, 30-29. Seven of Cleveland State's points during this stretch came from Gordon, who finished with a team-high nine points during the first half.
Cleveland State was able to extend its scoring run into the second half, opening the frame with an 8-3 run and finally taking a lead at the 16:29 mark with an Eckles layup. Eckles' basket put the score at 35-33, and a Brooke Smith steal and layup on the ensuing Detroit possession gave CSU a four-point lead at 37-33.
The two teams traded baskets – and leads – over the next few possessions then, until the Vikings rattled off 11 straight points over a span of 3:32 to gain a double-digit lead at 56-44 with 6:12 left on the clock. The run was jumpstarted by an Allison Mitchell three-pointer at the 9:44 mark, and concluded with a pair of Gordon free throws.
CSU was able to hold a sizeable advantage over the next four minutes, until a 9-2 Detroit run brought the Titans within five points (60-55) with just over two minutes left to play. Over the next minute, Detroit fouled the Vikings when they had possession, putting Coleman and Green at the free throw line. The duo went 5-for-6 from the line, extending CSU's lead back to double-digits at 65-55 with 1:24 left on the clock.
The Titans weren't finished yet though, as they came within three points (68-65) of the Vikings following a 7-1 run, with just 32 seconds left to play. Detroit once again fouled the Vikings over the final 30 seconds, and Cleveland State went 3-for-4 from the free throw line during this span, clinching the 71-65 victory.
The Vikings shot 42-percent from the field on the game (23-for-54), and grabbed 44 rebounds, including 16 offensive boards.
Cleveland State will return to action next Thursday (Jan. 22) when they host league-leading Green Bay (13-3, 3-0 HL) at 7:00 p.m.