Ypsilanti, MI-The Cleveland State men's basketball team fell on the road at Eastern Michigan Saturday afternoon by a final score of 69-62. The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Vikings. CSU is 3-2 through its first five games, Eastern Michigan is 2-2 with both wins coming at home.
Cleveland State had a cold shooting day from the field, as the Vikings finished at 34 percent from the field and just 23 percent from three-point range. The game was tight throughout, featuring eight lead changes and three ties.
Tristan Enaruna finished just shy of his second straight double-double, with 17 points and nine rebounds. Enaruna shot 50 percent from the field and was a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line.
Tae Williams chipped in 12 points and eight boards, including a highlight-reel dunk on the fast break in the second half which gave the Vikings a five-point lead with a little over 14 minutes remaining.
Eastern got off to a fast start early, due in large part to Tyson Acuff. Acuff led all scorers with 31 points in the game. He connected on two three-point field goals in the early going which helped push the Eagles in front by seven, it was 20-13 EMU at the second media timeout.
The Vikings clawed back, and eventually evened the score on a Drew Lowder three-pointer with a little over three minutes to play in the opening half. Cleveland State went on quick 4-0 spurt coming out of the timeout to open up a three-point lead headed into the locker room.
Cleveland State stretched its lead to two possessions multiple times in the opening minutes of the second half, including on Williams' dunk, but the Eagles had an answer. Eastern went on a 5-0 run following the highlight-reel play that quickly tied the score back up at 41.
The two teams traded baskets until the Eagles took command with a little under six minutes to go. EMU used an Acuff layup followed by a fast break bucket to push its lead to eight points with 4:48 remaining.
The Eagles' lead grew to as large as 10 points in the final minutes. The Vikings mounted a late comeback attempt but could never get back within one score as time wound down.
Cleveland State returns to action on Wednesday, as the Vikings play host to East Tennessee State at Woodling Gymnasium as part of the Viking Invitational. The game is set for a 7:00 p.m. tip off.
