RECAP: CSU men’s basketball concludes season – The Cauldron
Cleveland State men’s basketball recorded a season overall of 20-14 (.588) and conference record of 11-9 (.550). The team finished on a strong note, making it to the Horizon League semi-final in Indianapolis, falling to Oakland by just three points.
A match (and rematch) against IUIPUI
CSU closed out its regular season with a win against IUPUI 75-66 on Saturday, March 2 at the Wolstein Center.
The Vikings maintained a consistent lead throughout the game, leading by as much as 15 points throughout the second half. They would then enter as the 7. Seed of the Horizon League Tournament, which would begin with a rematch against IUPUI (no. 10. seed). The offense was led by senior Tristan Enaruna, who finished in double figures, putting up 20 points for the eleventh consecutive game. Senior Tae Williams and Sophomore Dylan Arnett each contributed 14 points, giving Arnett a career high. Overall, the team shot 47.2 percent from the field (25-53), with a total of 27 rebounds.
The rematch took place Tuesday, March 5 at the Wolstein Center, with 1333 in attendance. Early on, IUPUI had all the momentum, going on a 9-3 run that would later be put to an end by CSU in the fourteenth minute. The Vikings once again took the game by storm, tying the game which then resulted in a growing lead. Halway, the score was 44-29, with CSU leading by 15. The game resulted in a blowout, with CSU leading by as much as 29 points in the second half of play. Overall, the team shot 60 percent from the field (36-60) and was 40 percent from the three point line.
With this 85-66 win, the Vikings improved to the quarterfinal round, playing Youngstown State.
A victory against Youngstown
The Vikings came out victorious against Youngstown State with a score of 82-70. The game took place Thursday, March 7 in the Beeghly Center with 3102 in attendance.
The Penguins took a 15-11 lead early on before the Vikings took advantage after a 10-0 run. By the halfway mark, CSU had a six point lead, with a score of 44-38. Throughout the second half, both teams traded baskets, making for a real fracas. Youngstown managed to cut CSU’s lead down to five; however the Vikings had a response in every possession. CSU extended its lead to bring home a win that would send the Vikings to their fourth consecutive trip to the Horizon League Semifinals against Oakland.
Photo Credit: Jacob Ott
A fierce fight against Oakland
On Monday, March 11, at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, CSU ook on Oakland for a chance to go to the Horizon League Championship.
CSU had a fast start, sporting a 7-0 run within the first five minutes of play. With eight minutes left in the first half, Oakland tied up the game, bringing the halftime score to 38-38. Oakland took over the second half, going on a 9-0, to give the team a double-digit lead with a score 52-42. The Vikings responded with a 10-0 run before Oakland took over in the final possessions.
CSU ultimately fell to Oakland with a close score of 74-71.
The men’s basketball team is slated to make postseason appearances throughout the week in Daytona Beach, Florida throughout the week from Sunday, March 24.