Cleveland State men's basketball team kept their spot at the top of the Horizon League after a solid victory over Detroit Mercy this past Friday, finishing with a score of 73-65, as reported by cleveland.com. The win is notably their third this season, ensuring they sidestep a three-game losing streak, a notable achievement so late in the regular season where the effects of a lengthy schedule can start to bite.
The game saw Cleveland State guard Tevin Smith face off against heavy defense, limiting his attempts to score until nearly halfway through the first half. This snag in their offense didn't stop Smith from contributing to the final score with 10 points — fulfilling the adage that defense wins games, but it helps to score a little. As the game tightened to a one-possession difference, a slick strategy involving a robust pick set by Smith allowed teammate Tahj Staveskie to secure a vital three-pointer that bolstered their lead late in the game. Staveskie led the team with a game-high 22 points, especially during the second half. Cleveland19.com highlighted the standout performance. The Vikings shot 40 percent from the field throughout the game, connecting on nearly half of their three-point attempts.
The efforts of Detroit Mercy were led by Orlando Lovejoy, who secured 17 points, with Nate Johnson close behind with 16. Their drive, however, was overshadowed by the Viking's consistent performance both in scoring and defense, with Cleveland State limiting the Titans to a mere 31% shooting in the first half, which paved their path to lead at intermission, according to WKYC.
Moving forward, Cleveland State is gearing up for their next encounter against Oakland on Sunday, with aspirations to maintain their momentum and extend their league position — the game is a key marker as the Horizon League tournament is slated to begin on March 4, Cleveland State holds a 19-9 overall record and a conference score of 13-4, placing them in a strong position for the upcoming tournament, the road ahead includes games at Oakland, Wright State, and a season finale with Purdue Fort Wayne, cleveland.com pointed out the strategic importance of these matches, as they have evidenced the kind of tenacity that teams need going into postseason play.
