CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State women's basketball team opened up the 2015-16 season Friday evening, dropping a heartbreaking 59-57 contest to Bucknell.
VIDEO | Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame Comments
VIDEO | Cleveland State vs. Bucknell Highlights
Game Stats
• Three Vikings finished the game in double-figures – Khayla Livingston (19 pts), Shadae Bosley (11), and Ashanti Abshaw (10).
• Shadae Bosley posted a team-high nine rebounds, while Ashanti Abshaw, Olivia Voskuhl, and Brooke Smith all grabbed four boards.
• Olivia Voskuhl and Brooke Smith each posted a team-best three assists.
• Khayla Livingston tallied five steals.
• Shadae Bosley posted three blocked shots.
• As a team, Cleveland State posted 12 steals and forced Bucknell into 17 turnovers.
Game Notes
• Ashanti Abshaw, Allison Mitchell and Khayla Livingston all recorded the first start of their collegiate career.
• Khayla Livingston's 19 points marked a career-high for the redshirt sophomore, while she also posted a career-best with her five steals.
• Shadae Bosley notched career-highs with her 11 points, nine rebounds, and three blocked shots.
The Game
Cleveland State was able to get out to a good start to open the game, holding a 10-9 advantage at the 6:54 mark of the first quarter, but a 12-2 run by Bucknell over the next 2:49 gave the Bison a 21-12 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the first period. Bucknell would then go on to close out the quarter on a 6-3 run, giving them a 27-18 lead after the first period.
The Vikings were able to open the second quarter by picking up six of the first 10 points, to close the gap to just seven at 31-24 following an Ashanti Abshaw layup at the 6:02 mark. After Bucknell was able to put its lead back to nine points at 33-24, the Vikings took over control of the game, and went on an 8-0 run over the final 2:21 of the period to put the score at 33-32 Bucknell going into the halftime break. During this run the Vikings got six points from Shadae Bosley and two from Abshaw, putting Cleveland State within striking distance to start the second half.
Both teams traded baskets to open the second half, with Cleveland State finally able to grab the lead at 37-36 following an Adesuwa Aideyman three-pointer with 7:12 left on the clock. The two teams then traded baskets once again, with Bucknell regaining the slight advantage at 41-39, but the Vikings would regain control on the next trip down the floor as Bosley converted an and-one to put the score at 42-41 Cleveland State with 3:45 left in the third quarter. Bucknell then posted the final five points of the period, going into the fourth and final quarter with a 45-43 advantage.
The fourth quarter was a tightly contested period, with four ties and three lead changes. After Bucknell was able to gain a 50-47 advantage at the 4:22 mark, CSU was able to even the score with a Khayla Livingston three-pointer with 3:59 left on the clock. The Vikings then gained a three-point lead following an Olivia Voskuhl three-pointer, but the Bison would even the score at 2:24 with another three-pointer. Over the next 1:15 Cleveland State was able to go on a mini 4-2 run, gaining a 57-55 advantage with just 1:09 left to play. The lead wouldn't last long though, as the Bison converted another three-pointer on their next trip down the court to regain a 58-57 lead with just 43 seconds left on the clock. The Vikings were then forced to foul over the final few seconds, with Bucknell converting one free throw to put the score at 59-57 with eight seconds left. After inbounding the ball, Cleveland State had a few final looks at the basket, but they weren't able to convert anything with Bucknell coming away with the two-point victory.
Up Next
• Cleveland State vs. Evansville – Wednesday, Nov. 18 – 7:00 p.m. – Wolstein Center
