Feb. 3, 2007
Final Stats
Contact: Alan Ashby
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The frigid weather conditions that hit Northeast Ohio somehow permeated the Wolstein Center on Saturday as Cleveland State as the Vikings shot under 30-percent from the field and UIC used a 13-0 run centered around halftime to take control to claim a 68-54 victory over Cleveland State on Saturday afternoon in the Wolstein Center.
The game also saw the end of CSU's NCAA record 408-game streak of making at least one three-pointer. The Vikings were 0-12 from beyond the arc to go without a trey for the first time since a 78-55 loss at Cincinnati on Dec. 17, 1992.
"I didn't know the streak was over until I looked at the box score after the game," CSU head coach Kate Peterson said. "Our goal was today was to try and get to the basket and to the free throw line. I thought we did a nice job of getting to the line, but we just didn't shoot well enough otherwise to win."
Kailey Klein continued her impressive freshman campaign by leading the Vikings with 22 points and seven rebounds while Natalie Miller added 15 points and Jessica Roque 10.
"Kailey has been our one constant on offense, but we just don't have anyone around her who can score on a consistent basis right now," Peterson said.
Jessie Miller and LaShonda Grant shared the UIC scoring lead with 13 points each.
The loss dropped CSU's record to 5-18 overall and 2-8 in league play while UIC improved to 13-9, 7-3.
The Vikings played well in spurts in the first half. UIC opened the contest by scoring the first seven points (in 3:09).
Cleveland State came back strong, going on a 17-4 run that built a 17-11 lead with 7:24 left. Jessica Roque scored seven of the first nine points in the stretch to get the spurt going with Natalie Miller finishing it with back-to-back baskets inside.
Those would be the final points for CSU until the second minute of the second half as UIC ran off the final eight points of the first half and the first five of the second stanza to turn the deficit around and take control.
The Vikings tried to hold the Flames at bay, closing to 30-25 with 14:30 left on a basket inside by Klein but UIC countered by scoring eight of the next points to push the lead to 38-26 with 12:08 left.
Cleveland State could come no closer than 11 the rest of the way as the deficit would grow to as many 16 (54-38, 5:20).
The Vikings' best offense proved to be at the foul line where CSU made 20 of its 23 charity tosses to shoot a season-high .870.
Foul shots were the only things that CSU was making as the Vikings made just 17 of their 57 field goal attempts (.298).
Cleveland State resumes Horizon League play next Saturday, Feb. 10 when the Vikings play at Detroit. CSU returns home on Feb. 15 to host UW-Milwaukee.
