Nov. 23, 2010
Final Stats
By: Robert Ivory
CLEVELAND, OH-Pesky Toledo would make it close in the end, but Cleveland State hustle was the key as they continue their perfect start to the 2010-11 season with a 58-50 win over Toledo Tuesday night at the Wolstein Center.
"I am really proud in the way my team played tonight," head coach Kate Peterson Abiad said. "We were worried about the offensive production of Toledo, but holding them to 50 points was outstanding. Without our defensive effort, this would not have been pretty."
"Early in our season we have already learned a number of valuable lessons. They did a good job of help defense, the ball pressure really good, and the ball screen defense was really good. I think we are making some strides."
The Vikings were led in points by Destinee Blue and Janelle Adams, who had 12 each, but five different Vikings scored eight or more points.
The Vikings move to 4-0 on the year for the third time in school history (1974-75, 1982-83, and 193-84), and the first since 1983-84.
Cleveland State shot 39.6% from the field, but had 19 assists on 21 buckets.
"That means my team is playing together," Peterson said. "We tell our team to play together, because a team is going to beat a great player anytime. I think that's great because that the kind of kids we look for and that's the kind of play we look for on the court. We encourage it and I am really pleased with how they are doing that."
Horizon League Player of the Week Shalonda Winton collected her second double-double in as many games with 10 points and 11 boards.
There was no lack of intensity or energy on the court to start the game as both teams continuously ran up and down the court as Toledo tried to wear out the Vikings quickly.
"I think I am asking an awful lot from a very few kids and I'm getting it," Peterson said.
That advantage played into CSU's hands, however, as they took an early 11-4 lead on a Shawnita Garland three pointer.
Garland went just 2-9 from the floor, but had nine assists, seven rebounds, and a pair of steals.
"Look what [Garland] has done to help others," Peterson said. "She's everywhere on defense. She's doing all the little things for us and she is the glue of who we are."
Toledo would then score the next eleven, over the next 5:44 and take the 15-11 advantage. During that span, the Vikings committed five turnovers, four fouls, and attempted only three shots.
"I did not know how they would respond when things weren't going well for us on the court, and that happened several times to night. I think this squad is very composed for an inexperienced group."
The Vikings would trail only twice in the game, both times coming in the middle of the first half.
Both teams battled down the stretch trading baskets and found themselves tied at 17-17. Adams, Winton, and Kaila Montgomery each found a basket and the Vikes ran out to a six point lead, 23-17.
The Rockets were able to put four straight points on the board, but a Janelle Adams layup gave CSU a 25-21 lead going into the half.
Cleveland State shot the ball well to start the half, but committed four fouls in the opening three minutes.
The Vikings seemed to find their offensive stride as they outrebounded Toledo 24-13 in the second half as 10 of those were offensive rebounds. CSU also had the Rockets' number, as they hustled to the ball and got most of the loose balls.
A 14-0 run in under five minutes took the Vikings to their biggest lead of the night, 45-28, with 12:03 left to play. CSU controlled the rest of the game, but Toledo was able to get within five, but only with 1:42 to play.
The Vikings hit five consecutive free throws to finish out the Rockets over the last minute and a half.
Toledo drops to 1-3 on the year.
Cleveland State concludes their three-game home stand Friday night (Nov. 26) against Florida A&M.
