QUICK HITS:
- Cleveland State remains atop the Horizon League, holding a 9-1 record in #HLMBB play.
- The Vikings held advantages in bench points (31-21) and second chance points (15-13).
- Torrey Patton pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, in addition to two points and one assist.
- Patton's 12 boards marks the sixth time in his career the senior has recorded 10-or-more rebounds in a single game.
- Deante Johnson swiped a career-high tying two steals, to go along with five points, four rebounds and one block in 19 minutes.
- Saturday's contest marked the fourth time this season (eighth career game) the forward recorded two thefts.
- Johnson has recorded at least one block in 10 games this season.
- Yahel Hill tallied a career-high 11 points, connecting on 3-4 (.750) from three-point territory, in addition to three rebounds in 19 minutes of play.
- Sophomore guards Jeremy Sanchez and Hugo Ferreira both recorded steals (Sanchez-1, Ferreira-2).
DAYTON, Ohio – The Cleveland State Vikings' scorching start to Horizon League play came to an end with an 85-49 loss at Wright State on Saturday night.
With the defeat, Cleveland State saw its league-best nine-game winning streak halted. The contest marked the Vikings' first setback since falling to the nationally-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes 67-61 on December 13.
After Wright State jumped out to a 32-17 lead with 4:35 remaining in the opening half, Yahel Hill drained a three-point shot to bring the game within reach before the Raiders quickly answered with an 8-0 run.
Cleveland State held the Raiders to 40 percent shooting (10-for-25) in the first half. The hosts racked up 17 points on 21 attempts from the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes. Overall, Wright State netted 38 of its 85 points from the charity stripe.
The Vikings improved their defensive play in the second frame, but were unable to keep up with the Raiders, who had four players score in double figures.
Hill led the way for Cleveland State with a career-high 11 points and was responsible for all three of the Vikings' three-pointers. Torrey Patton grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.
Despite the loss, the Vikings (9-1) maintained their place atop the Horizon League standings, clinging to a two-game lead over the Raiders (7-3).
Cleveland State will look to bounce back next Friday night on a nationally televised affair on ESPN2 against Milwaukee at the Wolstein Center.
UP NEXT: Cleveland State will play host to Milwaukee next weekend (Jan. 22 and Jan. 23). Friday's contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2, with tipoff set for 9 p.m. Saturday's game will tip at 5 p.m. and be aired on an ESPN streaming platform, as well as on 1420-WHK, 102.5 FM and www.whkradio.com.
