The Cleveland State Men's Basketball team suffered its first Horizon League defeat Thursday night, falling 85-71 to Youngstown State. The Vikings(7-7, 2-1 HL) shot 53-percent from the floor, but the Penguins(10-4, 2-1 HL) outshot CSU from three and at the free throw line to earn the victory. 

Cleveland State had four players in double figures, led by Tristan Enaruna and Deshon Parker. Parker finished with a season-high 18 points, along with six assists and five rebounds. Enaruna also had 18, along with 8 rebounds. The Junior from the Netherlands finished 7-15 from the floor.

Tae Williams finished with 16 points on 8-10 shooting, and Drew Lowder added 10, including two of the three made three-point field goals on the night for the Vikings. 

Youngstown State made eight triples, almost all of which came in big spots, and outshot Cleveland State 17-10 from the free throw line. Brandon Rush finished with 21 points to lead the Penguins. 

Cleveland State got off to a good start, going on a 5-0 mini run to start the game. Youngstown State responded and tied the game at 5 at the 16:27 mark. Both teams went back and forth from there, trading small leads.

The Penguins seized control late in the first half. YSU led by 8 on a Malek Green layup with 1:27 to go in the half. Youngstown State led 39-32 at the break. 

Cleveland State responded out of the halftime locker room. The Vikings slowly chipped away, and cut the YSU lead to 2 on a Deante Johnson dunk at the 14:52 mark. 

A quick response from Youngstown State held the Vikings at bay, as an 8-0 spurt from the Penguins pushed the lead back to double digits at the 12:52 mark. 

Cleveland State was able to cut the lead back to five on two separate occasions with under five minutes to go, but the Vikings could draw no closer. YSU pulled away late for the 85-71 final score.

Cleveland State remains on the road to take on Robert Morris in the second game of a two game Horizon League road weekend. The Vikings and Colonials will face off on Saturday at 3 p.m.