INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Cleveland State Vikings saw their magical season come to an end in an 87-56 loss to Houston in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night.
The Vikings nearly pulled ahead on multiple occasions during an intense opening half, but the Cougars used a big run after the break to advance to the second round.
In one of the most unconventional seasons in recent memory, the Vikings thrived through the chaos during the 2020-21 campaign, winning the Horizon League regular season and tournament titles en route to their third-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2009.
Cleveland State set a program record with nine straight wins to open conference play as part of a 19-4 run through the Horizon, their most single-season victories in any conference.
In addition to countless team accomplishments, the Vikings thrived individually with several Horizon League honors, headlined by head coach Dennis Gates' second consecutive #HLMBB Coach of the Year selection which made him the first coach in school history to with the award in back-to-back seasons.
Torrey Patton snagged an All-Horizon League First Team nod while Tre Gomillion was tabbed as Defensive Player of the Year in addition to making the all-defensive team alongside teammate Deante Johnson.
THE GAME
Houston threw the first punch scoring the game's first seven points, but Cleveland State answered with a quick 8-4 spurt of their own with all four buckets coming in the paint.
The Vikings drew within a basket at 16-14 when Deante Johnson rejected a Cougar at the rim to spring a fast break, which resulted in a pair of makes at the charity stripe by D'Moi Hodge.
Houston staged another run midway through the half, this time netting nine unanswered points before Hodge canned a pair of deep triples with 5:15 to play, making it 25-22 Cougars.
Cleveland State shot 12-25 (.480) from the field, including a 3-8 clip from downtown, in the opening half while holding Houston to .419 shooting, but seven offensive boards helped the Cougars to a 37-29 edge at the intermission.
The Vikes missed five of their first six shots before cashing in on 11 of 19 attempts (.579) to end the half.
Houston pulled away early in the second half and held on for the 87-56 win.
For the Vikes, D'Moi Hodge scored 11 points while swiping three steals. Pattton chipped in eight with a team-high eight boards while Johnson and Gomillion added six apiece.
Cleveland State shot 40 percent (6-15) from three-point range, led by three makes from Hodge.
