VIDEO: Highlights | Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame Comments
CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the first time in five seasons the Cleveland State women's basketball team has advanced to the Horizon League Semifinals, clinching a spot with a 76-70 victory over sixth-seeded UIC Wednesday evening. The win improves CSU to 19-11 on the year, and puts the Vikings up against No. 2 Wright State in a semifinal contest on Friday, March 13.
Wednesday's quarterfinal victory over the Flames improves Cleveland State to 11-9 in Horizon League Tournament action under head coach Kate Peterson Abiad, while it also marks the fifth time that the Vikings have reached the 19-win mark during Peterson Abiad's tenure.
Cleveland State's offense was led by All-Horizon League selection Imani Gordon, who notched a season-high 27 points along with six rebounds, while Alexis Eckles and Brooke Smith each added 13 points. All-Horizon League player Cori Coleman tallied 12 points on the game, along with six assists.
As a team, Cleveland State shot 52-percent from the floor (27-for-51), including a .542 clip during the first half (13-for-24). The Vikings also notched a .421 clip from three-point range against the Flames, converting eight shots – including three from Kiersten Green.
Despite going into the halftime break with a two-point advantage (36-34), the Vikings struggled during the opening minutes of the second frame, as UIC was able to regain control of the contest following a 6-2 run over the first 2:12. After trading baskets for the next five minutes, the Vikings were finally able to earn a four-point lead at the 48-44 mark following a pair of layups from Eckles with 12:23 left in the game.
Over the next 4:10 Cleveland State was able to extend its lead to seven points (57-50) following a 9-6 run that was capped off by an Allison Mitchell layup at the 8:13 mark. The Vikings' comfortable lead wouldn't last long though, as the Flames responded with a 10-4 run of their own to close the gap to just one point (61-60) with 4:33 left to play.
A Gordon layup on the ensuing Cleveland State possession gave the Vikings a multi-point lead once again (63-60), while Gordon followed this up with two more field goals over the next 1:34 to put Cleveland State ahead by four (67-63) with 2:34 left on the clock.
The Flames answered with a three-pointer on their next possession to close the gap to just one point once again, but that would be as close as UIC would get, as Smith hit her lone three-pointer of the contest on the next trip down the floor to give CSU the 70-66 advantage.
Cleveland State then closed out the final 1:31 of the contest on a 6-4 run, coming away with the six-point victory.
The No. 3 seed Vikings will face No. 2 seed Wright State at 6:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 13. The semifinals and championship will be held at regular-season champion Green Bay. Links for live stats and live video will be available on CSUVikings.com.
