CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State women's basketball team picked up its fourth straight win Saturday afternoon, notching an 81-48 victory over Youngstown State. With the win, the Vikings improve to 21-3 overall this season and 12-2 in Horizon League play.
GAME STATS
· Four Vikings finished in double-digits, led by Amele Ngwafang with 21 points, while Destiny Leo added 18 points, Brittni Moore chipped in 14 and Gabriella Smith added 11 points.
· Amele Ngwafang recorded a team-high 15 rebounds, while Brittni Moore grabbed eight boards.
· The Vikings shot 40-percent from the floor on the game, including a .556 clip during the third quarter.
· Cleveland State combined for nine steals on the game, including three from Barbara Zieniewska and Gabriella Smith.
· The Viking defense held Youngstown State to a .323 clip from the field.
GAME NOTES
· Amele Ngwafang recorded her seventh double-double of the year with 21 points and 15 rebounds, marking her third straight double-double.
· With her 18 points, Destiny Leo moved into 16th place on the CSU Scoring List with 1,241 total points.
· Saturday's win gave the Vikings the season sweep over Youngstown State, their fourth season sweep of the year.
· Cleveland State improved to 11-1 when playing at home this season.
THE GAME
Cleveland State was once again able to get out a quick lead over the opening minutes of Saturday's contest, as the Vikings jumped out to a 13-1 lead on a Brittni Moore layup. Although YSU was able to trim the lead back to single-digits over the next few minutes, a Destiny Leo jumper with 56 seconds left on the clock put the Vikings back up by 11 at 22-11, before they closed out the frame with a 22-15 lead.
During the second quarter the Vikings were able to withstand an early YSU run, holding onto their advantage throughout the opening minutes, and regaining a double-digit lead at 34-24 on an Amele Ngwafang layup with just 1:12 left in the frame. A pair of Leo free throws in the final seconds of the frame then gave Cleveland State a 36-24 lead heading into the halftime break.
The Vikings were able to carry their momentum into the third quarter then, as a 4-0 run from Ngwafang to start the frame put the score at 40-34 Cleveland State. After the two teams traded baskets over the next few possessions, a Gabriella Smith and-one play extended the Viking lead to 52-33 midway through the frame.
Cleveland State was able to control play over the next few minutes then, as a 10-0 run gave the Vikings a 62-33 lead on a Moore layup with 1:48 left on the clock. Despite YSU snapping the scoring run on their ensuing possession, the Vikings responded with a Deja Williams free throw and a Leo jumper in the final seconds to take a 65-35 lead into the final 10 minutes of action.
A 5-0 run from the Vikings to start the fourth quarter put the Vikings up 70-35 on another Moore layup, while Cleveland State maintained control throughout the rest of the frame, closing out the 81-48 victory over Youngstown State.
UP NEXT
Cleveland State will return to non-league play on Tuesday, February 7, hosting Chicago State in a 2:00 p.m. contest.
