Jan. 14, 2012

Final Stats

Contact: Renee Adam

Follow the Vikings on TWITTER
Follow Women's Basketball on TWITTER
CSU Athletics on YouTube
Become a Fan on Facebook

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Despite a second straight 29-point effort from Shalonda Winton, the Cleveland State women's basketball team fell short against Loyola, dropping an 85-67 contest Saturday afternoon. CSU is now 7-9 on the season and 2-3 in the Horizon League, while the Ramblers improve to 8-9 overall and 3-3 in league play.

Winton, who was once again two shy of her career-high with 29 points, also tallied 12 rebounds against Loyola, marking her sixth double-double of the year and her third over the past five contests. Takima Keane and Honesty King also tallied double-digits for the Vikings, Keane with 14 points and three steals and King with 11 points and seven rebounds.

After going into halftime down by 28 at 49-21, the Viking offense was on target during the opening minutes of the second half as CSU went on a 10-6 run to open the frame. Keane started the run with a three-point play after a layup and foul shot, while King hit her second three-pointer on the following possession to cut the Loyola lead.

The Ramblers were able to extend their lead once again over the next four minutes, earning a 67-35 advantage with 12:33 left to play. The Vikings kept fighting back though, as they went on two extended runs over the next six minutes.

CSU first posted a 10-0 run starting at the 12:04 mark, before posting six straight points beginning at the 7:38 mark. During that span, the Vikings held Loyola to just two points over a six-minute span, forcing three Rambler turnovers and collecting six defensive rebounds on missed shots by Loyola.

The Vikings traded baskets with Loyola over the final 6:25 though, as the Ramblers were able to hold onto the lead and earn the 85-67 victory.

CSU once again had a strong performance from the free-throw line, as the Vikings were 24-for-27 (.889) on the game, and 9-for-10 during the first half. Winton led CSU with 15 made free throws out of 16 attempts against the Ramblers.

Loyola, who shot 53-percent (34-64) from the floor, was led by Troy Hambric who posted 26 points and Lisa Samplawski who tallied 19.

CSU will return to the road next weekend, as the Vikings travel to Wisconsin to face Milwaukee and Green Bay. Cleveland State will first face Milwaukee at 8:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, January 19, before taking on No. 14/12 Green Bay at 3:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 21.