VIDEO: Highlights | Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame Comments
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State women's basketball team dropped a hard fought contest Thursday evening, falling to league-leading Green Bay, 65-61. The loss was just the second at home for the Vikings this season, as CSU is now 10-7 overall and 2-2 in Horizon League play. Green Bay improves to 14-3 and 4-0 in league action.
Once again the Viking offense was led by the senior trio of Imani Gordon, Cori Coleman, and Kiersten Green – who combined for 49 of Cleveland State's 61 points. Gordon tallied a team-high 20 points – including 16 during the second half – while Coleman added 16 points and Green notched 13.
Throughout the entire contest the Vikings were able to keep the Phoenix within a manageable distance, and went into the halftime break trailing by seven at 34-27.
CSU opened the second frame on a 7-4 run, closing the gap to just four points at 38-34 with 15:35 left on the clock. The Phoenix responded with five straight points to extend their lead to nine points (43-34) then, but over the next three minutes CSU battled back, closing the gap to just two points (45-43) with 9:27 left to play. The Vikings were able to close the gap following a 9-2 run, which included six points from Gordon and three from Coleman.
Green Bay once again had an answer though, as the Phoenix were able to extend their lead to seven points multiple times over the next 3:20. A pair of back-to-back three-pointers from Brooke Smith and Coleman halted Green Bay's run though, putting the Vikings down by just one point (56-55) with 4:39 left on the clock.
This would be as close as the Vikings would get though, as Green Bay once again had an answer for CSU's run – converting a three-point basket on their next trip down the court. The Phoenix held at least a three-point lead for the final 4:21, as Cleveland State traded baskets over the final few possessions which allowed Green Bay to pull out the 65-61 victory.
Both teams shot 45-percent from the floor on the contest, Cleveland State going 20-for-44 and Green Bay going 25-for-55. CSU also posted a .450 clip from three-point (9-for-20), while the Vikings tallied 13 assists on their 20 made field goals.
Next up for the Vikings will be a trip to Wright State, as CSU will face the Raiders at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24.
