CLEVELAND, Ohio – Despite a balanced scoring effort, the Cleveland State women's basketball team fell to Evansville Wednesday evening, dropping a 72-63 contest against the Purple Aces. The Vikings stand at 0-2 on the season.
VIDEO: Cleveland State vs. Evansville Highlights
VIDEO: Kate Peterson Abiad Postgame Comments
Match Stats
• Ashanti Abshaw recorded the first double-double of her career, posting a team-high 14 points along with 11 rebounds.
• Brooke Smith also added 14 points for the Vikings, along with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
• Adesuwa Aideyman posted 13 points along with four boards and three assists.
• Olivia Voskuhl also notched double-digit points, ending with 10 points, five rebounds, four steals, and two assists.
• Nicolete Newman recorded her first collegiate points, finishing the game with two points and an assist in 10 minutes of action.
• As a team, the Vikings grabbed 17 offensive rebounds on the night.
• Defensively, Cleveland State recorded 10 steals, and forced Evansville into 17 turnovers.
The Game
During the first quarter, both teams traded baskets throughout the opening minutes, until Evansville was able to post back-to-back baskets at the 2:33 mark to gain a five-point advantage at the 18-13 mark. Olivia Voskuhl was able to cut the lead to just two points with less than a minute left in the first quarter after converting a three-pointer, but a pair of Evansville free throws extended the Purple Aces lead back to four to close out the frame.
Cleveland State opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run, including another Voskuhl three-pointer, to give the lead back to CSU at 21-20 with 7:16 remaining in the half. Evansville responded with a 13-3 run of their own over the next 3:31, giving the Purple Aces their largest lead of the contest at 33-24 with 3:30 left on the clock. Both teams traded baskets to close out the first half, with Evansville going into the halftime break up by nine points at 37-28.
After the intermission, Evansville was able to go on a 5-2 run over the first 2:12 of the second half, gaining a 12-point lead at 42-30 with 7:48 left in the third quarter. The Purple Aces held at least a six-point lead for the remainder of the frame, and went into the fourth and final quarter up by seven at 49-42.
During the final quarter, Cleveland State was able to work its way back into the game, closing the gap to just five points at 57-52 following six straight Viking points. This would be as close as Cleveland State would get though, as Evansville was able to convert a three-pointer just 33 seconds later that put the lead back to 60-52 with 3:25 left to play. The two teams then traded baskets over the final minutes of the contest, with Evansville coming away with the nine-point victory.
Up Next
• Cleveland State at Belmont – Sunday, Nov. 22 – 5:00 p.m. EST – Nashville, Tenn.
