Dec. 13, 2009
Final Stats
Contact: Greg Murphy
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NIAGARA, N.Y. - Shawnita Garland recorded her first career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 12 rebounds and Kailey Klein neared a triple-double as Cleveland State won at Niagara, 70-59, on Sunday afternoon.
Klein finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
The Vikings snapped a two-game slide and improved to 3-5, while Niagara fell to 2-8.
"This was a good win for us to get and play with some confidence as we prepare for our league schedule in a few weeks," head coach Kate Peterson Abiad said. "I thought we got some great contributions from everyone who played today. I was happy with the way that we were able to build a lead to start the game and then answer any run they had. That shows that we are maturing and growing as a team."
Takima Keane came off the bench to score a career-high nine points, hitting 4-of-6 from the field.
"Takima hit some big shots for us at key moments and it was good to see her give us a spark off the bench," Peterson Abiad said.
Stephaine Crosley added 11 points, while Angel Roque, Jessica Roque and Janelle Adams scored six points apiece.
Liz Flooks of Niagara led all scorers with 18 points.
Klein opened the scoring with a layup and Garland followed with two free throws before another Klein layup gave the Vikings a 6-0 lead less than two minutes in. Liz Flooks hit a three-pointer for Niagara's first points of the game to make it 6-3, but a Crosley layup and three-pointer by Angel Roque pushed CSU's lead back to eight points (11-3) with 16:46 left in the half.
The Viking lead swelled to a first half high 14 points (28-14) with 8:19 left on a Shalonda Winton layup. However, an 8-0 spurt by the Purple Eagles brought them within five (28-23) with 4:45 to play.
But, as was the case thoughout the first half, CSU responded with a run of its own, scoring the next eight points to regain a 13 point advantage, 36-23, with 2:32 left in the half. Crosley highlighted the run with back-to-back layups to start it, while Garland and Klein also added baskets.
CSU led at the half, 38-27.
The Purple Eagles opened the second half scoring with a layup, but six straight points by the Vikings gave CSU its largest lead of the afternoon (44-29) on a Garland three-pointer with 17:44 left.
The lead remained double figures until an Ali Morris layup cut the Viking advantage to 53-45 with 9:25 left. However, Crosley converted a layup and hit a free throw, pushing the Viking lead back to 12 points and Niagara would not get closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
The Vikings shot .426 (26-61) from the field, while holding Niagara to a .333 (19-57) field goal percentage. CSU also held a 42-34 advantage on the boards.
CSU also hit 14-of-18 (.778) at the free throw line, including six straight by Jessica Roque in the final minute that iced the game as Niagara continued to foul to stop the clock.
The Vikings will return to action on Saturday (Dec. 19) when CSU hosts Indiana at 4:30 p.m. in the Wolstein Center. It will be the first doubleheader of the season with the CSU men's team taking on West Virginia prior to the women's game at 2:00 p.m.
