VALPARAISO, Ind. – Behind a career-high performance from Olivia Voskuhl and a matching standout performance from Khayla Livingston, the Cleveland State women's basketball team pulled out a 66-62 victory at Valparaiso Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Vikings are now 12-11 overall this season and 7-5 in Horizon League action.
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Game Stats
· Khayla Livingston led three Vikings in double-figures with 22 points, while Olivia Voskuhl added 20 points and Ashanti Abshaw posted 11 points.
· Olivia Voskuhl grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds on the game, including six offensive boards.
· Khayla Livingston recorded six assists on the game, while Jade Ely added two assists and Olivia Voskuhl, Shadae Bosley, and Chrishna Butler each added one.
·Ashanti Abshaw grabbed four steals on the game, while Khayla Livingston posted three takeaways.
Game Notes
· With her 22 points against Valparaiso, Khayla Livingston eclipsed the 800-point mark for her career, finishing the contest with 817 total points.
· Khayla Livingston notched 14 of her points from the free throw line, going 14-for-18.
· Olivia Voskuhl posted a career-high with her 20 points and 13 rebounds – marking her first double-double of the season.
· With the win Saturday, Cleveland State marked the season sweep of the Crusaders, the second season sweep of the year for the Vikings.
The Game
During the opening frame both teams got out to a hot start, with Cleveland State holding a 24-23 advantage after the first 10 minutes of play. Cleveland State's 24 first quarter points marked the highest first quarter point total this season and the third highest overall quarter total of the year.
The Vikings struggled during the second frame then, as Valparaiso outscored the Vikings 13-4 during the quarter to gain a 36-28 lead at the halftime break.
Over the opening minutes of the third quarter the Vikings worked their way back into the game, going on a 9-2 run to come within one point at the 38-37 mark with 7:27 left in the frame. Valparaiso responded with back-to-back baskets to extend its lead once again, but a pair of Khayla Livingston free throws and an Olivia Voskuhl three-pointer knotted the game up at 42-42 with just under five minutes left on the clock.
The two teams then traded baskets throughout the final minutes of the quarter, with Valparaiso going into the final 10 minutes of play with a 46-44 advantage.
During the final quarter, Cleveland State was quickly able to gain control of the contest, as the Vikings went on a 6-2 run over the first 2:52 to gain a 50-48 advantage – their first lead since the first quarter.
The two teams then traded baskets and leads over the next 3:01 until a Jade Ely three-pointer – her first basket of the game – gave the Vikings a 56-55 advantage with just 59 seconds left in the game. After forcing a Valparaiso turnover on their next possession, Ely then went 1-for-2 from the free throw to extend the Viking lead to 57-55, and grabbed the ensuing offensive board off her missed free throw to regain possession of the ball.
After being fouled once again, Ely was a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line on her next trip, putting the score at 59-55 Cleveland State with just 35 seconds left in the game. Valparaiso was able to convert a layup on its next possession to bring the score within two points at 59-57, but a pair of Livingston free throws gave the Vikings a four-point lead once again, a lead that they would hold for the remainder of the contest. Over the final minute of the game, the Vikings went 10-for-12 from the free throw line, securing the 66-62 victory.
Up Next
· Cleveland State @ Green Bay – Thursday, February 9 – 8:00 p.m. EST – Green Bay, Wis.
