CSU-Cleveland State

CHICAGO, Ill. – Joe Davis scored 18 points and Chris Moore added 17 points and eight rebounds as Cleveland State saw a 10 point lead cut to three in the final minutes, but the Vikings survived the late rally to pull out a 77-73 victory over Chicago State.

The Cougars fall to 3-7 on the season. Cleveland State improves their record to 6-3.

David Holston led Chicago State with a game-high 19 points, five assist, and five steals. John Cantrell chipped in 17 points, and Chidozie Chukwumah had nine points, five boards and a season-high six blocks in the losing effort.

Chicago State had a season-high 24 turnovers, which accounted to 27 Viking points.

“We are disappointed in a couple of areas of the game”, said head coach Benjy Taylor. “I am very proud on how the team continued to play hard and fought back. We lost to a veteran team who has already beaten an ACC school as well as a Big East school on the road.”

The teams went back and forth in the first half as the score was tied eight times. The Cougars had their biggest lead of the game in the early going as they pulled out to an 11-6 score with 15:47 left in the opening half. Cleveland State responded with a 12-6 run to take a 18-17 lead with 10:59 left. The teams exchanged baskets the rest of the half, and Cleveland State went into the locker rooms with a 40-36 halftime lead.

Cleveland State never trailed in the second half and took their biggest lead of the game 72-62, with 3:17 remaining. Chicago State would then rally and cut the lead to 72-69 on a free throw by Mike Wilson with 1:04 left. The teams exchanged baskets and with 10 seconds remaining and the Cougars trailing by three, 74-71, freshman guard Steve Martin’s three point attempt to tie the score fell short.

Chicago State returns to action on Friday, Dec. 7, when they travel to Des Moines, IA., to take on Drake at 7:30 p.m. in the first day of the Drake Regency Classic.