NEW ORLEANS, La. – Despite a career-high 25-point performance from redshirt freshman Ashanti Abshaw, the Cleveland State women's basketball team fell to Saint Louis, 76-65 in their opening contest of the Tulane Classic Sunday afternoon. The loss drops Cleveland State to 3-6 on the season, while Saint Louis improves to 9-1.
Game Stats
· Ashanti Abshaw led two Vikings in double-figures, posting a career-high 25 points on an 8-for-12 performance from the field and an 8-for-9 effort from the free throw line.
· Olivia Voskuhl also notched double-digit points, finishing with 11 points.
· Ashanti Abshaw and Olivia Voskuhl both recorded a team-high six rebounds.
· Khayla Livingston recorded nine points and four boards.
· Adesuwa Aideyman finished with seven points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds.
· As a team, Cleveland State posted 12 steals, including a career-high six from Ashanti Abshaw.
Game Notes
· Ashanti Abshaw eclipsed the 20-point mark for the second time this season, and has now posted double-digit points in all nine games this year.
· The Vikings posted double-digit steals for the seventh time this season.
· Cleveland State will now play in the Tulane Classic Consolation game tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. EST.
The Game
Despite getting out to an early lead during the first quarter following a 10-0 run over a span of 1:42, Cleveland State finished the first 10 minutes of play trailing, 18-12. The Vikings then opened the second quarter with a 7-2 run, closing the gap to just one point at the 7:18 mark (20-19). During this run the Vikings got five points from Ashanti Abshaw and two from Shadae Bosley.
Saint Louis responded with a 10-4 run of its own over the next four minutes, extending its lead to 30-23 with 2:55 left to play in the first half. Both teams then traded baskets during the final minutes of the frame, going into the halftime break with SLU leading 33-25.
Just 13 seconds into the third quarter Saint Louis was able to gain a double-digit advantage at 36-25 and went on to hold a double-digit lead over the next seven minutes. The Vikings were able to cut the lead down to just eight points at the 2:46 mark then, following an 11-0 run that put the score at 48-40. Over the final minutes of the third frame SLU outscored the Vikings 9-5 to regain a double-digit lead and go into the final 10 minutes with the score at 57-45.
During the fourth quarter Saint Louis was able to hold a double-digit lead for the majority of the frame, coming away with the 11-point victory over the Vikings.
Up Next
· Cleveland State vs. UNCG – Monday, December 21 – 4:00 p.m. EST – Tulane Classic
