QUICK HITS
- Cleveland State cruised past visiting Milwaukee, 70-53
- The Vikings never trailed in the game and led by as many as 25
- Cleveland State shot 51.1% for the game (23-of-45)
- The Vikings held the Panthers to 25.4% for the game (15-of-59)
- Craig Beaudion had a game-high 19 points after 26 points last game
- Tre Gomillion posted 14 points and six rebounds
- Algevon Eichelberger (11) and Jaalam Hill (12) also reached double figures
- Eichelberger added a game-high eight rebounds and three assists
GAME RECAP
The Cleveland State University men's basketball team led from start to finish as the Vikings opened up a big early lead and cruised to a 70-53 victory over visiting Milwaukee Saturday afternoon at the Wolstein Center.
CSU opened up a 43-21 lead after a dominant first half and led by at least 15 points for the entire second half as CSU improved to 4-5 in Horizon League action.
Cleveland State was highly effective at both ends of the floor. The Vikings shot 51.1% from the field (23-of-45), surpassing the 50% threshold for the fifth time this season. On the other end, CSU held the Panthers to just 25.4% for the contest (15-of-59), the lowest mark by a Viking opponent this season.
Junior Craig Beaudion led the way offensively for a second straight game, posting a game-high 19 points. He added a trio of assists and a pair of steals and was highly efficient at the line, going 10-for-11.
Sophomore Tre Gomillion contributed 14 points and six rebounds with his point total tying his highest mark in a Horizon League affair.
Senior Jaalam Hill and junior Algevon Eichelberger made it four Vikings in double figures by adding 12 and 11 points, respectively. Eichelberger tallied a game-high eight boards along with three assists.
Cleveland State scored on its first four possessions to open up an 8-0 lead fewer than three minutes in, with junior Franklyn Penn Jr. scoring four of the eight.
The Vikings still led by eight, 16-8, approaching the halfway mark of the opening half. CSU then proceeded to score six straight as Hill and Gomillion capped the mini-run with thunderous fast-break dunks.
Cleveland State was not content with its double-digit lead as the Vikings closed the half on an 8-2 run over the final two minutes as Beaudion converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put the halftime score at 43-21.
The Vikings shot 64% in the opening period (16-of-25) while holding the Panthers to 25% (7-of-28).
Milwaukee scored the first seven points of the second half to close its deficit to 15 points, but the Vikings would not let the guests get any closer.
Eichelberger had five points and Hill added two to give CSU seven straight and push the margin back over 20.
The Panthers made one last run, pulling within 15 with six minutes left, but CSU went on a 12-2 run to put the game to bed.
CSU had a 41-30 advantage in rebounds and a 30-18 lead in points in the paint. The Vikings took at least 23 free throws for the seventh consecutive contest.
Eichelberger posted his 11th straight double-figure scoring game while Beaudion has double digits in seven of the last nine. Hill's 12 points came in 15 minutes and was his highest such figure of the calendar year.
Cleveland State will continue its season-long four-game homestand this coming Thursday, Jan. 30, when it hosts IUPUI at 7:00 p.m.
