Cleveland State Men’s Basketball Wins Wright State Athletics

fairborn, ohioThe Cleveland State men’s basketball team wrapped up its four-game Horizon League road trip on Saturday night with an 85-77 victory over Wright State at the Warriors’ Nutter Center. Cleveland State won him 4-3 on the road trip, putting him 12-9 overall and improving to 7-3 in the league. Wright State fell 11-10 and 4-6 overall.

The Vikings took the overall lead thanks to a dominant first half. Wright State fought back in the second half, but Cleveland State held on solid until the end to wrap up the road victory.

Four Cleveland State players finished in double digits, with Tristan Enaluna scoring 21 points. Enaluna finished the rebound without achieving his fourth double-double on his board of nine. It was Enalna’s eighth consecutive game of scoring in double figures. He finished 7-for-9 efficiently from the field and 8-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Tae Williams and Deshon Parker finished with 15 points each. Williams has scored in his double figures in three of his four games on the road trip. Parker added four rebounds, one assist and one steal. All 15 of his points came in the second half.

Drew Lowder went 5-10 from the field with 12 points. Lauder is making his second start of the season and has scored in double figures in four of his last five games.

Cleveland State got off to a fast start offensively, scoring the first seven points of the game. The Vikings continued their aggressive barrage as Parker found Deante Johnson on a dunk to make it 13-2 Vikings and forced a timeout for Wright State at the 16:34 mark.

Over the next seven minutes, Wright State fought back, cutting the Vikings’ lead to four at 20–16, with just over nine minutes to play through the half. Cleveland State responded as Jason Woodrich made a 3-pointer and was fouled while shooting. Woodrich converted the free throw into a four-point play.

After two possessions, Enaluna hit a 3-pointer to cap a mini 7-0 spurt and push the Vikings’ lead back to double digits, with eight minutes remaining at 27-16 Cleveland State.

The Vikings lead climbed to 18 points late in the first half with Lamar Prior 3 with two and a half minutes remaining. The Vikings held a 47-31 lead at the break. Cleveland State had an amazing 70% shooting percentage from the floor (19-27). That’s the best percentage the Vikings have shot in half this season.

Cleveland State’s lead extends to 22 points early in the second half. Wright State mounted a comeback and cut their lead to single digits midway through the second half. A Brandon Noel jumper with 9:17 remaining cut his lead to his 5 at 64-59.

The Raiders held it until the end, but didn’t pull a single possession the rest of the way. The Vikings took the win solidly from the free throw line.

Cleveland State had a 58% field goal percentage and finished 6-14 (.429) in three games.

The Vikings are back at the Ulstein Center this week, first facing Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday night. The game is scheduled for chips at 7pm.