VIDEO: Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame Comments
GREEN BAY, Wis. – After advancing to the Horizon League Semifinals for the first time over the past five seasons, the Cleveland State women's basketball team fell to Wright State Friday evening, 99-87. The Vikings are now 19-12 overall this season, while Wright State improves to 25-7.
The Vikings were playing in the Horizon League Semifinals for the fifth time under Kate Peterson Abiad and the first time since the 2010-11 season. With the loss to the Raiders, CSU now stands at 11-10 in Horizon League play over the past 12 seasons.
Cleveland State had five players finish in double-figures, including Alexis Eckles who tallied her ninth double-double with 17 points and a career-high 19 rebounds. Kiersten Green and Cori Coleman each notched 20-point games Friday evening, Green posting 21 points, including six three-pointers, and Coleman recording 20 points, including four three-pointers.
Imani Gordon added 14 points and six rebounds, while Allison Mitchell recorded a career-high 11 points in a career-high 31 minutes of action.
During the opening half, Wright State was able to quickly get out to a double-digit lead just five minutes in (14-4), and then went on to control play throughout the final 15 minutes, going into the halftime break with a 19-point advantage at 48-29.
The Raiders were then able to keep their momentum going throughout the first part of the second half, until a 9-1 Cleveland State run brought the Vikings back within 12 points at 82-70 with 5:00 left on the clock. During this stretch, Cleveland State got points from four different players and ended the run on a Green three-pointer.
Over the next 3:45 Cleveland State went on to outscore the Raiders 11-8, closing the gap to single digits for the first time since the 8:59 mark of the first half. With the score at 90-81 and 1:15 left on the clock, the two teams traded baskets over the next few possessions, until Wright State regained its double-digit lead for good following a pair of free throws at the 44-second mark.
Over the final minute of the contest, Wright State went 7-for-8 from the free throw line, as the Vikings ran out of time to make their comeback, falling short against the Raiders in the Horizon League Semifinals, 99-87.
As a team, Cleveland State grabbed 46 rebounds, while they also tallied 18 assists on 25 made field goals. The Vikings converted 13 shots from behind-the-arc - the sixth time this season that they have made 10 or more three-pointers in a game.
