VIDEO: Highlights | Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame Comments
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State women's basketball team got back on the winning track Thursday evening, picking up a 67-58 victory over Milwaukee. With the win the Vikings are now 11-8 overall this season and 3-3 in Horizon League play, while Milwaukee is now 7-12 overall and 3-4 in league action.
Cori Coleman led the Vikings with 19 points, including 15 during the second half, while Imani Gordon tallied 13 points. Brooke Smith and Coleman led CSU with eight rebounds each, while Gordon grabbed seven boards and Alexis Eckles and Kiersten Green each tallied six.
During the opening half, the Vikings battled back from an early deficit, gaining a double-digit lead after a 14-0 run that spanned just over three minutes. CSU was able to hold the double-digit advantage until the final seconds of the first half then, until Milwaukee closed the stanza with seven straight points, putting the score at 33-26 Cleveland State at the halftime break.
The two teams then traded baskets during the opening minutes of the second half, with Milwaukee closing the gap to just three points (41-38) with 12:25 left on the clock. The Vikings responded with a 5-0 run, extending their lead to 46-38 with just over 11 minutes left to play.
The Panthers weren't out of it yet though, as they once again closed the gap to three points (48-45) at the 6:53 mark, before Cleveland State went on a 12-2 run to regain a double-digit lead (58-47) with 3:49 left to play. During this stretch, eight of the Viking points came from Coleman, while Gordon recorded the other four points.
Cleveland State was then able to hold a double-digit lead over the next 2:27, including a 4-for-5 performance from the free throw line, owning a 12-point lead (67-55) with just 28 seconds left on the clock. On their final possession, the Panthers were able to convert a three-pointer, cutting Cleveland State's double-digit lead and putting the final score at 67-58.
As a team, Cleveland State grabbed a season-high 48 rebounds, including 18 offensive boards. Coleman posted six offensive rebounds, while Eckles and Smith both tallied three.
Cleveland State tallied 30 of their points in the paint, while they also recorded 20 second chance points.
The CSU defense held Milwaukee to a .339 clip from the field (19-for-56), including a .200 clip from three-point (4-for-20).
The Vikings will now hit the road to begin a three-game roadswing, traveling to Oakland for a 3:00 p.m. contest on Saturday, Jan. 31.
