FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Cleveland State women's basketball team opened up its postseason journey in the 2021 WBI with a win on Friday, picking up a 68-55 victory over Manhattan in the First Round.
PDF BOX SCORE: Cleveland State 68, Manhattan 55
Game Stats
· Three Vikings finished the game with double-digit points, led by Mariah White with 17. Aminata Ly added 15 points, while Destiny Leo chipped in 13.
· Aminata Ly led the Vikings with 12 total rebounds on the game, while Isabelle Gradwell and Destiny Leo both posted six rebounds each.
· As a team, the Vikings finished with 14 steals on the game, including nine from Mariah White.
· Taylah Levy posted a team-high four assists, while Mariah White added three helpers.
· The Cleveland State defense forced Manhattan into 23 turnovers, turning these miscues into 26 points.
Game Notes
· Aminata Ly recorded her second double-double of the season with a career-high 15 points and a career-best 12 rebounds.
· Mariah White's nine steals against Manhattan marked a WBI single-game record.
· This marked the 10th time this season that the Vikings posted double-digit steals after finishing with 14 against Manhattan.
· This marked the first meeting between Cleveland State and Manhattan.
· Friday's win marked the second postseason victory for the Vikings in program history, as they also picked up a WBI First Round win during the 2010-11 season. The Vikings are now 2-4 all-time in postseason play.
The Game
After a strong first half, Cleveland State was able to go into the halftime break with a 10-point lead at 37-27. Although Manhattan converted a three pointer to begin the third quarter, Mariah White responded with a three-pointer of her own to put the Vikings back up by double-digits at 40-30 with 7:36 left in the quarter.
Over the next few minutes, Manhattan was able to go on a five-point run, but an Aminata Ly layup at the 5:17 mark stopped the scoring run and put the score at 42-35 Cleveland State. The two teams then traded baskets over the next few possessions, until an Isabella Geraci three-pointer gave the Vikings a nine-point advantage at 46-37 late in the third quarter.
Manhattan was then able to post the final six points of the frame, pulling within three points at the end of the third quarter, 46-43.
Cleveland State was able to get on the board first during the fourth quarter then, as a Ly jumper gave the Vikings a 48-43 lead just 28 seconds into the frame. This lead wouldn't last long though, as Manhattan went on a 9-4 run over the next four minutes, tying the contest at 52-52, marking the first time since early in the first quarter that Cleveland State did not hold the advantage.
The Vikings answered with a Destiny Leo three-pointer on their next trip down the floor, and then followed that up with back-to-back baskets from Leo and White to regain a seven-point lead at 59-52 with 3:27 left on the clock.
The Vikings were then able to close out the contest on a 9-3 run, including a 4-for-6 effort from the free throw line over the final minute, to come away with the 68-55 victory.
Up Next
Cleveland State will now face Stetson in the semifinals tomorrow (Saturday, March 20), with game time set for 2:30 p.m.
