All-Time vs. NKU: 7-9
Last Meeting: 1/19/23 57-56 L
Tickets: csuvikings.com
Radio: 1100 AM WTAM
Play-By-Play: Al Pawlowski, Pat Vuyancih
TV: ESPN+
SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State Men's Basketball team concludes its final regular season homestand with a matchup with Northern Kentucky. The Vikings have won the first three in the four-game homestand, including a decisive win over Wright State on Friday night on national television. This is a matchup pitting the two teams currently tied for second in the Horizon League standings, as NKU sits at 12-5 in the league as well. The Norse carry a two game win streak into Sunday's contest.
THE CLEVELAND STATE/NKU SERIES
Friday's game marks the 17th all-time meeting between Cleveland State and Northern Kentucky. NKU leads the all-time series 9-7. Cleveland State has won three of the last five meetings, but NKU has won the last two, including the first meeting between the two teams this season. The game was a back-and-forth defensive battle, and the Vikings appeared to seize control down the stretch, until NKU's Marques Warrick drilled a three-pointer at the buzzer to win it. Tristan Enaruna scored 15 points to lead the way for the Vikings.
CLEVELAND STATE DOWNS WRIGHT STATE IN FRONT OF NATIONAL AUDIENCE
The Vikings defeated Wright State at the Wolstein Center on Friday night for their third straight victory, 85-68. The game was televised to a national audience on ESPNU, and Cleveland State rose to the occassion. The Vikings had four players in double figures, led by Tristan Enaruna who tallied 20 points. Cleveland State decidedly won the rebounding battle and points in the paint battle on the evening, and the Vikings pulled away late, turning a tight game at the midway point into a runaway down the stretch.
CLEVELAND STATE DOWNS PURDUE FORT WAYNE FOR KEY HL VICTORY
Cleveland State defeated Purdue Fort Wayne 79-74 on Friday night to improve to 8-3 in the Horizon League. The Vikings shot 58-percent from the floor and outrebounded the Mastodons 31-29. Cleveland State led the entire way, but had to hold off several comeback attempts from PFW to claim victory. Tristan Enaruna led a group of five Vikings in double figures with 19 points.
SCOUTING THE NORSE
Northern Kentucky is currently 17-11 and 12-5 in the Horizon League. The Norse are tied for second in the standings with Cleveland State, as both sit one game back of Youngstown State for the league lead. NKU is led by Marques Warrick, who averages just over 18 points a game. Warrick is a preseason first team all-league selection and hit the game-winning three pointer against CSU at the buzzer in the first meeting between the two teams. Darrin Horn is in his fourth season as the head coach.
VIKINGS WIN THRILLER OVER ROBERT MORRIS
Cleveland State defeated Robert Morris for the second time in 2022-23 in a thrilling finish that came down to the game's final possession. The Vikings jumped out to an early lead, scoring 17 of the game's first 20 points. Cleveland State led by double digits midway through the second half before RMU mounted a charge to tie the game and ultimately take the lead late. The Vikings responded to tie it up and then Deante Johnson won it with a tip in with just over two seconds remaining to give the Vikings a narrow 57-55 win. Johnson recorded his second double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.
VIKINGS DEFEAT YOUNGSTOWN STATE TO SWEEP HOME WEEKEND
Cleveland State defeated Youngstown State on Saturday to move to 11-5 in Horizon League play. The final score was 81-78, and the biggest lead for either side was eight points. Tae Williams recorded his second 20-plus point scoring effort of the season scoring 20 points and adding six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Four of the five Viking starters finished in double figures as CSU moved to 10-3 inside the Wolstein Center this season.
GETTING IT DONE ON DEFENSE
Throughout the season, Cleveland State has found success defensively. The Vikings are holding opponents to an average of 67.6 points per game, which is third in the Horizon League. CSU ranks second in opponent field goal percentage, at .424, and ranks third in opponent three-point percentage, holding opposing teams to just 32-percent from long range.
COACH ROBINSON ANNOUNCES COACHING STAFF
Head Coach Daniyal Robinson has assembled an experienced coaching staff in his first season at Cleveland State. Jermaine Henderson returns to CSU after previously serving as an assistant coach during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons under Gary Waters. Henderson most recently served as an assistant coach at Kansas State for the past five seasons. Travis Lewis is in his second season on staff at Cleveland State, after serving as Director of Video Operations under former head coach Dennis Gates last season. Jay Shunnar enters his first season as an assistant coach, after working in several capacities under John Belein at the University of Michigan and with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
VIKINGS DEFEAT CANISIUS, EARN FIRST WIN UNDER COACH ROBINSON
Cleveland State picked up its first win of the 2022-23 season with a hard fought, 58-57 overtime win against Canisius last Wednesday. Cleveland State started fast, jumping out to a double digit lead in the first half, but had to withstand a surge by Canisius in the second half. The Golden Griffins battled back, and eventually tied the game at 53, sending it to overtime. Cleveland State scored first in the extra session and held on for the victory. Four of the five starters in the contest for the Vikings finished in double figures, led by Tristan Enaruna who finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. The win marked the first for Head Coach Daniyal Robinson in his career.
ENARUNA ON A HOT STREAK
Transfer forward Tristan Enaruna has been the spark plug for the Vikings offensively of late. The Junior from the Netherlands currently ranks 11th in the Horizon League in scoring at 14.7 ppg. Enaruna has scored in double figures in 15 consecutive games, and has registered three double-doubles thus far. Enaruna is averaging just over 17 points a game in conference play, which is ninth in the league.
PARKER DROPPING DIMES
Deshon Parker has been a great facilitator for Cleveland State through the early going of the regular season. So far, Parker has totaled 103 assists. He had a career-high 11 in the opener against Notre Dame College. His average of 3.8 assists per game is fifth in the Horizon League, and his assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.0 also ranks fourth in the league.
SENIOR SENDOFF
Sunday's game marks the final regular-season home game for three Vikings: Deante Johnson, Yahel Hill and Deshon Parker. Cleveland State will honor the trio in a pre-game ceremony along with their families.
WILLIAMS RISES TO THE OCCASION
Tae Williams has been a key to the Vikings' success in the early going of the regular season. Williams registered a season-high 23 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Detroit Mercy. Williams is averaging 10 points per game and has scored in double figures 14 times so far this season, including three of the last six games. He registered his second double-double with 13 points and a season-high 13 rebounds against Milwaukee.
LOWDER LIGHTS IT UP
Drew Lowder has been an energizer for Cleveland State, and played his way into the starting lineup. Lowder had a stretch of three of five games where he scored in double figures, including a season-high 16 points in the win over Oakland. He has scored in double figures in six of his last seven games, including a season-high 21 against Green Bay.
UP NEXT
Cleveland State hits the road for its final two games of the regular season. The first game will see the Vikings travel to Green Bay for a 9 p.m. tip off on Friday, February 23.
