FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Cleveland State women's basketball team notched its program record-setting 24th victory of the season Monday evening, picking up a 73-63 win over Purdue Fort Wayne. With the win, the Vikings have won seven straight games and are now 24-3 overall this season and 14-2 in league action.
GAME STATS
· Destiny Leo led the Vikings with 31 points, while Brittni Moore and Barbara Zieniewska both added 12 points and Gabriella Smith chipped in nine.
· Amele Ngwafang grabbed 19 rebounds on the game, while Brittni Moore recorded 13 boards.
· As a team, the Vikings held a 52-30 edge in rebounds, including 19 offensive boards and 23 second chance points.
· The Vikings notched 10 assists on the day, including four from Gabriella Smith and three from Destiny Leo.
GAME NOTES
· With the 31 points against Purdue Fort Wayne Destiny Leo notched her fourth 30-point game of the year.
· Amele Ngwafang notched a career-high with her 19 rebounds.
· With 12 points and 13 rebounds on the day, Brittni Moore tallied her second double-double of the season.
· With the win, the Vikings set the program record for wins in a single-season with 24.
· Monday's victory gave Cleveland State the season sweep over Purdue Fort Wayne, marking the sixth series sweep of the year.
THE GAME
For the second straight game the Vikings were able to take a 10-point lead into the halftime break, as Cleveland State held a 38-28 advantage heading into the third quarter.
The Vikings were able to extend their lead over the first minute of the third quarter then, as a Brittni Moore jumper and a Destiny Leo three-pointer gave the Vikings a 43-28 edge at the 9:05 mark. Another Moore basket extended the CSU lead to 45-28, before six straight points from Purdue Fort Wayne trimmed the lead to 45-34 midway through the frame.
The Vikings responded with a 5-0 run of their own, regaining a 50-34 advantage on a Gabriella Smith layup with 4:50 left on the clock. The two teams then traded baskets over the final minutes of the quarter, until a Barbara Zieniewska three-pointer with just 11 seconds on the clock put the Vikings up 57-38 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
Despite a late run from the Mastodons throughout the fourth quarter, the Vikings were able to maintain their lead, stopping a 7-0 run with a pair of Leo free throws to maintain a 59-45 lead, and then stopping another Purdue Fort Wayne run with a Leo three-pointer as the shot clock was expiring to put the score at 69-58 with just over one minute left to play.
The Vikings would go on to hold their lead over the final minute of play then, coming away with the 73-63 victory to mark their seventh straight win.
#HLWBB QUARTERFINAL SECURED
With Monday's victory the Vikings have secured a quarterfinal home game in the Barbasol Horizon League Championship on Thursday, March 2. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased by CLICKING HERE or by calling the CSU Ticket Office at (216) 687-4848.
UP NEXT
Cleveland State will return to the Wolstein Center this weekend, hosting Northern Kentucky (Thursday, February 16) and Wright State (Saturday, February 18) in the final regular season homestand.
