QUICK HITS
- Tyree Appleby posted his third double-double of the season with 26 points and 11 rebounds
- Cleveland State shot a season-best 59.3 percent from the floor and 55.6 percent from the three-point line
- The Vikings trailed by 16 points at the 12:50 mark of the first period
- Jaalam Hill and Rashad Williams each scored 18 points for CSU
- Seth Millner finished with 17 points and eight rebounds
- Cleveland State honored seniors Dontel Highsmith and David Payne prior to the start of the game
GAME RECAP
CLEVELAND - Sophomore Tyree Appleby posted a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds and Cleveland State capped the home portion of its schedule with an 89-86 Horizon League victory over IUPUI on Saturday in the Wolstein Center.
Appleby, who scored 13 points in the first half, helped the Vikings overcome a 16-point deficit midway through the first period. The Vikings, who improved to 8-20 overall and 3-12 in the Horizon League, posted season bests shooting 59.3 percent from the floor and 55.6 percent from the three-point line.
Junior Jaalam Hill and freshman Rashad Williams each tallied 18 points for Cleveland State, while freshman Seth Millner had 17 points and eight rebounds.
With the victory, Cleveland State finished the home portion of its schedule with an 8-9 record.
The Vikings overcame a slow start as IUPUI, which dropped to 14-13 overall and 6-8 in the Horizon League, raced out to a 21-5 lead with 12:50 to play in the first half. Still trailing by 11 points at the 9:42 mark of the first, CSU used a 10-4 run to get back into the game.
Appleby, who scored five points during the run, capped the outburst with a three-pointer that cut the Jaguars lead to 30-25 at the 7:17 mark of the first.
After a free throw by Ahmed Ismail increased the lead to 31-25, CSU responded with a dunk by Hill and a three-pointer from Williams to climb to within 31-30 with 5:57 to play in the opening period.
IUPUI hit back-to-back baskets to push the lead to 35-30, but a three-pointer by Williams and a dunk by Hill knotted the score at 35-35 with 3:35 to play in the first half.
Camron Justice put the Jaguars back in front with a three-pointer, but Williams answered with a three-pointer of his own and Millner put CSU in front with a three-pointer.
Cleveland State, which improved to 8-1 when leading at the half, took a 43-40 lead into the intermission.
The Vikings used a 12-2 run to take a 57-48 lead with 13:42 remaining in the game.
IUPUI fought back and eventually took the lead again at 68-66 on a pair of free throws by Jaylen Minnett with 6:44 to play in the game.
A three-pointer by Minnett gave the Jaguars their last lead of the game at 77-76 at the 2:54 mark of the second.
A Millner three gave the Vikings the lead for good at 79-77 with 2:41 remaining in the contest.
The Vikings expanded the lead to 87-80 with 33 seconds remaining, but IUPUI clawed back into the game.
A 6-0 run cut the CSU lead to 87-86 with 10 seconds to play, but Appleby nailed two free throws with six seconds to play and IUPUI's game-tying three-point attempt was off the mark.
Cleveland State will close out the regular season with three consecutive road games beginning on Feb. 21 at Wright State at 7 p.m.
