Posted: Nov 26, 2021
GAME #6
Cleveland State vs. Penn State Behrend
Saturday, November 27 | 3:00 p.m. | Wolstein Center
Live Stats | Live Video | Radio: iHeartRadio App
CLEVELAND STATE GAME NOTES | CLEVELAND STATE ROSTER | PENN STATE BEHREND ROSTER
SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State men's basketball team will continue the 2021-22 campaign at home this weekend, hosting Penn State Behrend on Saturday, November 27. Entering Saturday's game, the Vikings stand at 3-2 on the season after picking up three straight wins.
A WIN ON SATURDAY WOULD…
Give the Vikings four straight wins…Mark the first win over Penn State Behrend in program history…Put Cleveland State at 34-31 during Dennis Gates' tenure.
THE CLEVELAND STATE/PENN STATE BEHREND SERIES
Saturday's game will mark the first meeting between the two teams.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Penn State Behrend enters Saturday's game with a 3-2 record on the year, most recently dropping a 69-64 decision at Baldwin Wallace…Through the first five games, three Lions are averaging double-digit points, led by Kenny Fukon (19.6) and PJ Gourley (14.2)…PJ Gourley is also averaging a team-best 10.0 rebounds per game after notching back-to-back double-doubles in the last two games…Earlier this year, the Lions were selected to finish second in the AMCC Preseason Poll, while Kenny Fukon was named the Preseason Player of the Year…Penn State Behrend is under the direction of 27-year head coach Dave Niland.
CEREBRO SPORTS LAKE ERIE CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS
After picking up back-to-back wins against Canisius and Coppin State, the Vikings captured the Cerebro Sports Lake Erie Challenge title. Cleveland State earned an 80-70 victory over Canisius in the tournament opener, and then went on to post a 65-62 win over Coppin State in their tournament finale.
…CLEVELAND STATE IN IN-SEASON TOURNAMENTS
This marked the second in-season tournament for the Vikings during head coach Dennis Gates' tenure, with Cleveland State owning a 4-1 record in in-season tournaments following last weekend's two victories. During the 2019-20 campaign Cleveland State participated in the Battle for the Capital, picking up wins against UNCW and Eastern Kentucky.
CEREBRO SPORTS LAKE ERIE CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Cleveland State's D'Moi Hodge was named the Cerebro Sports Lake Erie Challenge MVP, while Torrey Patton was named to the All-Tournament Team for their performances against Canisius and Coppin State. Hodge averaged 18.5 points and 3.0 steals on the two games, including a 27-point effort against Canisius. Patton averaged 14.5 points and 9.0 rebounds on the weekend, including a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double against Coppin State.
HOME-SWEET-HOME
Saturday's game against Penn State Behrend will be the fifth game of a current seven-game homestand for the Vikings, and the fifth of 16 total home games for Cleveland State this season. Under head coach Dennis Gates, the Vikings are 18-11 when playing at home, including a 9-2 record last season.
PATTON NOTCHES FIRST DOUBLE-DOUBLE OF 2021-22
Last time out, Torrey Patton recorded the first double-double of the season for Cleveland State, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds against Coppin State. Patton, who now has 11 double-doubles on his career, tallied season-highs with his 21 points and 10 boards. For the season, Patton is averaging 12.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, ranking in the top-20 among #HLMBB players in both categories.
HODGE LEADING THE VIKING OFFENSE
So far this season, D'Moi Hodge has been Cleveland State's top offensive threat, averaging a team-best 12.6 points per game through the first two weeks. Hodge has tallied 10+ points in four of the five games so far this year, including a season-high 27-point effort against Canisius. Throughout his Cleveland State career, Hodge has tallied double-digit points 16 times, including a trio of 20-point games.
CLEVELAND STATE SPREADING OUT THE OFFENSE
Entering Saturday's game against Penn State Behrend, Cleveland State has recorded 73 total assists on the season - marking a season-high among Horizon League teams. The Vikings have posted 10 or more assists in all five games so far this year, including 21 against Canisius. Through the first five games, nine Vikings have recorded at least one assist, led by Deshon Parker who has a team-high 16 total assists on the year.
VIKINGS FORCING THE TURNOVER
Through the first five games of the 2021-22 campaign Cleveland State has forced its opponents into 73 combined turnovers - 12+ against all five opponents - leading all Horizon League teams with a 3.60 turnover margin. Last time out, the Vikings forced Coppin State into 18 turnovers, turning these miscues into 18 points. As a team, Cleveland State ranks second in the league with a 1.33 assist/turnover margin, led by Deshon Parker with a 2.3 assist/turnover margin (16 assists, 7 turnovers).
THE VIKINGS
Cleveland State returns 14 letterwinners from last season's #HLMBB Championship squad, including the starting rotation of Craig Beaudion, Tre Gomillion, D'Moi Hodge, Deante Johnson, and Torrey Patton. This returning core will be joined by four transfers and one freshman for the upcoming season, giving head coach Dennis Gates a well-rounded roster for the 2021-22 campaign.
…HEAD COACH DENNIS GATES
The Vikings will be under the direction of third-year head coach and reigning back-to-back #HLMBB Coach of the Year Dennis Gates. Through his first two seasons, Gates has led the Vikings to a 33-31 overall reecord, including a 19-8 mark last season when the Vikings captured the Horizon League Tournament title and earned the program's third trip to the NCAA Tournament.
CLEVELAND STATE TABBED #HLMBB PRESEASON FAVORITES
Last month the Vikings were selected as the favorites in the Horizon League Preseason Poll - picking up 502 points along with 30 first place votes. Last season, the Vikings finished regular season play with a 16-4 record to clinch the top seed in the #HLMBB Tournament where they picked up a trio of wins against Purdue Fort Wayne, Milwaukee and Oakland to claim the 2020-21 Horizon League Championship. In addition to the Vikings, Wright State (9), Northern Kentucky (1), Milwaukee (2), and Detroit Mercy (2) also picked up first place votes in this year's poll.
PATTON NAMED #HLMBB PRESEASON FIRST TEAM
Senior Torrey Patton earned a spot on the #HLMBB Preseason All-League First Team, which was announced in conjunction with the preseason poll last month. Patton returns after a 2020-21 season in which he averaged 14.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, and earned All-League First Team accolades.
UP NEXT
Cleveland State will open #HLMBB play next week, hosting Northern Kentucky on Thursday, December 2 and Wright State on Saturday, December 4.
