VIDEO: Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame
DURHAM, N.H. – Behind three players in double-figures the Cleveland State women's basketball team got back on the winning track Wednesday afternoon, earning a 65-50 victory over New Hampshire. With the win, the Vikings are now 5-5 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 4-6.
Cori Coleman led the Vikings with 18 points against the Wildcats - which included a trio of three-pointers - while Kiersten Green added 13 points and Imani Gordon tallied 12. Gordon and Green have now tallied double-digit points in all 10 games so far this season.
Gordon also notched a team-high nine rebounds, while Haley Schmitt tallied eight and Coleman grabbed six.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Vikings headed into the halftime break with a six-point lead (34-28), following a Coleman put-back as time was expiring. Cleveland State posted a 10-7 run to open the second half, and was then able to extend their lead to double-digits (45-35) at the 9:56 mark on a Gordon free throw.
The Vikings were able to hold at least a seven-point lead over the next 4:22, until a Schmitt layup and free throw put CSU back up by 10 at the 52-42 mark with 5:34 left to play. CSU extended its lead to 16-points following an 8-2 run over the next 3:57 – which included four points from Green and three from Brooke Smith, who finished with six points against the Wildcats.
Over the next 1:27, Cleveland State gained its largest lead of the contest (18 points), following a pair of baskets from Smith and Green, and another Smith free throw. This stretch gave CSU a 65-47 advantage with just 10 seconds remaining, but UNH was able to convert a three-pointer with just four-seconds left on the clock to put the final score at 65-50.
For the game, the Vikings grabbed a season-high 40 rebounds, outrebounded the Wildcats 40-33. CSU forced UNH into 16 turnovers – converting them into 13 points. The Vikings also posted six steals, including three from Green.
The Vikings will now return home and host Indiana this Saturday (Dec. 21), with game time set for 2:00 p.m.
