GREEN BAY, Wis. – With a three-pointer at the 18:12 mark of the second half, Cori Coleman became the 24th Cleveland State women's basketball player to record 1,000 career points, finishing the contest with 1,004. Despite Coleman's 17-point performance against Green Bay, the Vikings dropped a close contest to the Phoenix, falling 59-56. The Vikings now stand at 13-12 overall this season, and 8-4 in Horizon League play.
Along with Coleman, the Vikings were led offensively by Kiersten Green who tallied 14 points and Haley Schmitt who notched 10. Imani Gordon led CSU's rebounding efforts, grabbing 10 boards – her 10th double-digit rebound game of the season.
Green Bay controlled play throughout the majority of the first half, including gaining its largest lead of the contest. Going into the halftime break though, Cleveland State trailed by just three points at 30-27.
To open the second half Cleveland State was able to outscore Green Bay 10-7, tying the contest at 37-37 with 16:13 left to play. During this stretch CSU got a pair of three pointers from Adesuwa Aideyman and Coleman.
The Phoenix then regained their lead just over a minute later, before a Green three-pointer at the 14:48 mark gave CSU its first lead since the opening minutes at the 40-39 mark. Cleveland State's lead wouldn't last long though, as Green Bay was able to regain its advantage next trip down the floor. The Phoenix then went on a 14-5 run, extending their lead to eight points at the 53-45 mark with just under seven minutes left on the clock.
Over the next three minutes the Vikings were able to chip away at the Green Bay lead, and closed the gap to four points (56-52) following a Coleman layup at the 3:21 mark. After the Phoenix extended their lead back to six points (58-52) at the 2:00 mark, Schmitt was able to pull the Vikings within four once again on a layup at the 1:36 mark, and then Green was able to bring the Vikings within two after sinking a pair of free throws with just over one minute remaining.
Over the final minute, Green Bay missed a pair of three-pointers before CSU was forced to foul, putting the Phoenix at the free throw line with just seven seconds left on the clock. Green Bay then converted the front half of a one-and-one, and a last second three-point attempt from Green was just off the mark, as the Phoenix came away with the three-point victory.
Cleveland State shot just 37-percent for the game (22-for-59), and 22-percent from three-point range (7-for-31). Green Bay on the other hand had a .464 clip from the field (26-for-56).
The Vikings will be back in action on Sunday (Feb. 23), as they take on Milwaukee at 3:00 p.m. EST. Links for live stats and live video are available on the women's basketball schedule page at CSUVikings.com.
