Contact: Renee Adam
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RENO, Nev. - Despite three players in double-figures, including Shalonda Winton who tied her career-high with 31 points, the Cleveland State women's basketball team wasn't able to overcome a first-half deficit, falling to Nevada, 86-79 Friday afternoon. Friday's contest was the opening game of the University of Nevada Tournament, with the Vikings now playing in the consolation game Saturday (Nov. 24) at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Winton led the Vikings with her fourth-straight double-double of the season, tying her career-high with 31 points along with 17 rebounds, also posting five steals and five assists. Cori Colemanadded 17 points, two steals and three assists, while Kiersten Green posted a career-high 13 points and three steals.
After getting behind early with Nevada opening the contest on a 10-0 run, Winton finally put the Vikings on the board with a pair of free throws at the 16:54 mark. Cleveland State battled its way back into the contest over the next 10 minutes, as the Vikings gained their first lead of the night at the 5:38 mark (27-25) with a Kiersten Green three-pointer. Green's three-pointer was the third basket in a 7-0 run for CSU, which also included jumpers from Winton and Haley Schmitt.
Over the next 3:03 Nevada outscored Cleveland State 13-2 and closed the first half with a 43-36 lead.
Nevada opened the second half with six straight points to extend their lead to 13 at the 49-36 mark, before Cleveland State answered with five points of its own to close the gap to single digits (49-41) with 16:46 left.
The two teams battled back and forth until the 5:29 mark when the Vikings came within three points (72-69) following a Winton three-pointer. The Wolfpack responded with five-straight points to once again extend their lead, before another Winton three-pointer closed the game to four points at 76-72.
This was as close as the Vikings would get though, as Nevada matched Cleveland State over the final 3:42 to claim the 86-79 victory.
As a team the Vikings posted 15 steals and 17 assists, and forced 26 Nevada turnovers. For the second straight contest Cleveland State outrebounded its opponent, grabbing 43 rebounds, including 23 offensive boards.
Cleveland State will now play in the consolation game of the University of Nevada Tournament, facing either Toledo or Santa Clara at 5:00 p.m. EST tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 24).
