Jan. 7, 2002
The Cleveland State Vikings dropped their second conference game to 23rd-ranked Butler in a 62-45 loss at Goodman Arena. CSU hung in against the Bulldogs until late in the first half, when Butler went on an 18-6 run.
The Bulldogs came out firing against the Vikes, shooting 50 percent (15-30) in the first half. On the other side, CSU shot a mere 31 percent (8-26). At the half Butler took a 34-20 lead.
In the second frame it was more of the same for both teams. The Bulldogs came out hot again, hitting the first three buckets to build a 20-point lead. Butler also got hot from the three-point line, shooting 5-12 in the half.
The Vikings attempted to get back into the game, but only managed to match their first half shooting, going 8-26 yet again. Throughout the second frame Head Coach Rollie Massimino went without his starters, limiting Jamaal Harris (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights), Tahric Gosley (Philadelphia, Penn./Simon Gratz) and Theo Dixon (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) to 13, 14 and 17 minutes, respectively.
CSU freshman Pete Ritzema (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) led the Vikings with seven points, while Butler's Rylan Hainje and Thomas Jackson had 14 pointa apiece. Scott Robisch had 13 rebounds for the Bulldogs, helping Butler gain a 40-31 advantage on the glass.
The Vikings will be in action again this Thursday at home against Youngstown State.
