CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State women's basketball team opened the fourth week of Horizon League play Thursday evening, picking up a convincing 81-50 victory over Milwaukee. With the win, the Vikings are now 16-1 overall this season – and have won 16 consecutive games. In addition, Cleveland State is 7-0 in Horizon League play.
GAME STATS
· Amele Ngwafang led the Vikings with 14 points, while Carmen Villalobos added 13 points and Deja Williams chipped in 12.
· Amele Ngwafang recorded a team-best 10 rebounds.
· The Viking defense recorded 12 steals on the game, including four from Deja Williams and three from Gabriella Smith.
· Cleveland State forced Milwaukee into 21 turnovers, turning these miscues into 31 points.
· The Vikings posted a .484 clip from the field on the game (30-for-62), including a .643 clip during the third quarter (9-for-14) including a perfect 3-for-3 from behind-the-arc.
· The Viking offense recorded 15 assists on the night, including five from Carmen Villalobos and four from Destiny Leo.
· Cleveland State was able to hold a slim 36-34 edge in rebounding, including 13 offensive boards.
GAME NOTES
· With 14 points and 10 rebounds Amele Ngwafang recorded her fourth double-double of the year.
· Carmen Villalobos notched a season-high with her 13 points against Milwaukee.
· The 12 steals against the Panthers marked Cleveland State's seventh game with 10+ steals this season.
· Cleveland State is now 9-0 at home this season.
· With the win, the Vikings are now 7-0 to start #HLWBB play for the first time in program history.
· With the win, the Vikings extended their current win streak to 16 straight games – a program record.
THE GAME
After holding just a three-point lead at the halftime break at 29-26, the Vikings were able to extend their lead over the opening minutes of the third quarter, including a Gabriella Smith steal and layup at the 7:19 mark that put Cleveland State up 35-29. The Viking defense then drew an offensive foul on the next Milwaukee possession, which led to an Amele Ngwafang layup to put Cleveland State up 37-29.
Cleveland State then extended its lead to double-digits at 39-29 with another Ngwafang layup, before trading baskets with Milwaukee until yet another Ngwafang layup put the Vikings up by 11 at 43-32 with 4:56 left in the frame.
The Vikings then outscored Milwaukee 14-6 throughout the rest of the quarter, including a trio of three-pointers from Carmen Villalobos and Sara Guerreiro to take a 57-38 lead into the fourth and final frame.
Cleveland State carried its momentum into the fourth quarter then, as a 10-0 scoring run – jumpstarted by a pair of three-pointers from Destiny Leo and Guerreiro – over the first two minutes gave the Vikings a sizeable 67-38 advantage.
After once again trading baskets with the Panthers over the next few possessions, the Vikings strung together nine straight points, gaining a 79-42 lead on an Aminata Ly layup with 3:47 left on the clock.
Cleveland State was then able to maintain control throughout the final minutes of the contest, capturing their 16th straight win with an 81-50 decision over Milwaukee.
UP NEXT
The Vikings will close out their current homestand on Saturday, January 14, hosting Green Bay at 2:00 p.m.
