Jan. 5, 2012
Final Stats
Contact: Renee Adam
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VALPARAISO, Ind. - Behind a career-high 16 points from freshman Cori Coleman and a matching 16-point effort from Shalonda Winton the Cleveland State women's basketball team defeated Valparaiso, 49-45 Thursday evening, earning their first Horizon League victory of the season. With the win, CSU is now 6-7 overall and 1-1 in league play, while the Crusaders fall to 4-10 (0-3).
Along with her career-high 16 points, Coleman also posted a career-best six rebounds, while Winton notched seven rebounds and two steals.
During the first half Valparaiso was able to get out to an early five-point lead at 12-7 before Cleveland State went on an 11-0 run over a four-minute span to gain the 18-12 advantage. Coleman, Winton and Tess Zufall each hit a three-pointer during CSU's run, while Haley Schmitt posted a layup at the 8:15 mark of the first half to give the Vikings the six-point lead.
The Vikings managed just one point, a Coleman free-throw, over the next four minutes, as the Crusaders closed the gap to one (19-18) before CSU was able to go into halftime with a four-point lead (24-20) after a Takima Keane three-pointer and a Coleman layup.
Throughout the second half Valpo was able to close the gap to two points or less multiple times, but they were never able to regain the lead as CSU held the advantage for the last 30 minutes of play. After opening the second half with a 5-2 run, the Crusaders came within one-point (26-25) before a Keane three-pointer and free throw extended CSU's lead once again at 29-25.
Over the next three minutes the Vikings were able to extend their lead to seven points (36-29), and hold at least a three point lead until the 8:23 mark when Valparaiso's Ashley Varner made it a two-point game (37-35) after converting a free-throw. At the 3:46 mark the Vikings were able to once again make it a six-point game (45-39), before Valparaiso posted five-straight points, making their final surge of the contest coming just short of taking over the lead at 45-43. Coleman and Winton combined for nine of CSU's final 10 points as the Vikings were able to seal the 49-45 victory.
Zufall hit a pair of three-pointers against the Crusaders, notching a career-high six points, while Keane added five and Kiersten Green, Kaila Montgomery and Schmitt each added two points. Valparaiso had two players notch double-figures Thursday night, Tabitha Gerardot who posted 16 and Ashley Varner who tallied 11.
CSU will close out its three-game road swing this Saturday (Jan. 7) as the Vikings travel to Indianapolis, Ind. for a 2:00 p.m. contest against the Butler Bulldogs.
