Manhattan, KS-The Cleveland State men's basketball team dropped an 77-64 decision to Kansas State in a non-conference game at the Wildcats' Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The Vikings trailed by double digits at the half but played virtually even with K-State in the second half. Cleveland State is 1-2 on the season and Kansas State improves to 2-0.
 
Je'Shawn Stevenson and Dylan Arnett finished with 10 points apiece to lead the way for the Vikings. Both players finished in double figures for the second straight game. Arnett finished 4-of-7 from the floor and made both of his free throw attempts. Stevenson was 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range.
 
Both teams struggled offensively at the beginning of the game. Kansas State eventually found its rhythm and led 15-7 at the first media timeout. The Wildcats pushed the lead to double digits at the halfway point of the first half. The Vikings kept the lead at 10 with three minutes remaining in the opening half, and after the Wildcats pushed the lead to 16 with 1:39 remaining, CSU scored the final four points of the first half to cut the margin to 12 at the break.
 
K-State controlled the first ten minutes of the second half and took its largest lead of 23 points with 11:12 remaining. The Vikings punched back, responding with an 8-0 run over the next two and a half minutes to trim the deficit back to 15 points. Cole Franklin started it with a layup. Following a K-State turnover, KJ Debrick was fouled and made one of two at the free throw line. Stevenson converted a three-pointer on the next Viking possession and Debrick followed with another bucket in the paint which forced a Kansas State timeout with 8:23 remaining.
 
The Vikings continued to fight down the stretch, but ultimately could not trim the deficit back to single digits. Cleveland State held the edge on the glass, out-rebounding the Wildcats 31-25, including grabbing 18 offensive rebounds. The Vikings finished with a 75 percent clip from the free throw line (12-16) and also held the edge in points in the paint, 34-32.
 
Cleveland State remains on the road as the Vikings travel to Valparaiso for an 8:00 p.m. tip off on Tuesday.