Contact: Renee Adam
Follow the Vikings on TWITTER
Follow Women's Basketball on TWITTER
CSU Athletics on YouTube
Become a Fan on Facebook
CLEVELAND, Ohio - With four players scoring in double-figures, including Haley Schmitt recording a career-high for the second time in just three games, the Cleveland State women's basketball team was able to post a 68-57 victory over VCU Wednesday evening. With the win the Vikings are now 2-4 on the season, while the Rams fall to a matching record of 2-4.
Schmitt, who tallied a career-high 12 points against the Rams, was 2-for-2 from behind the arc along with five rebounds, an assist and a steal. Shalonda Winton had a team-high 17 points along with 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season, whileKiersten Green tallied her fourth straight double-digit contest with 12 points. Cori Coleman was the final Viking to notch double-figures, adding 13 points, three rebounds and three assists. Freshman Jasmine Flanagan also set a career-best, posting five points including her third three-pointer of the season.
For the fourth straight game CSU trailed in the opening minutes of the contest, but Wednesday evening the Vikings were able to take control of the game at the 10:06 mark, gaining a 9-8 lead on a Schmitt layup. The Vikings were able to hold the lead for the next eight minutes, including their largest lead of the half at the 6:11 mark (15-10) following an Honesty King layup.
After converting four free throws and forcing two Cleveland State turnovers in a span of 1:35, VCU was able to regain the lead at the 18-17 mark and posted a 6-3 run to close the opening frame, heading into the halftime break with a 24-20 lead.
The Rams controlled play during the opening minutes of the second half, gaining a 10-point advantage, their largest of the game at the 30-20 mark with 18:24 left to play. Cleveland State responded with a 10-0 run over the next 1:13, tying the contest at 30-30 on a Coleman three-pointer. The Vikings were then able to gain just their second lead of the contest at the 14:38 mark on another Coleman three-pointer.
The two teams traded baskets over the next six minutes, until the Vikings were able to regain the lead for good at the 6:24 mark on a Winton jumper (48-47). Over the next 2:50 CSU went on a 14-3 run, including a pair of three-pointers from Schmitt and one from Coleman to gain their largest lead of the contest (12 points) at the 62-50 mark with 3:17 left on the clock.
The Vikings held strong over the final 3:17, with Schmitt posting another jumper and Green converting all four of her free throws, for the 68-57 victory.
On the night, the Vikings posted 12 assists, 10 steals and four blocks, while forcing VCU into 21 turnovers. CSU also held the advantage in rebounds, grabbing 38 boards, including 17 offensive rebounds.
Cleveland State will now hit the road once again this weekend, traveling to Bloomington, Ind. to take on the Indiana Hoosiers at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2.
