Fort Wayne, IN-In a nationally televised game that pitted two of the Horizon League's top teams, the Cleveland State men's basketball team proved it was once again up to the challenge in defeating Purdue Fort Wayne 68-58 at the Mastodons' Memorial Coliseum. The Vikings improve to 17-6 overall and 11-1 in Horizon League play. Purdue Fort Wayne falls to 15-8 and 8-4.
 
The Vikings extended their winning streak to 13 consecutive games, one shy of the program record. The Vikings have not lost since December 5 and remain in first place in the Horizon League standings.
 
Cleveland State extended the streak thanks to lockdown defense, as the Vikings held one of the league's top offenses to its lowest scoring output in league play. The Vikings held PFW to 35 percent shooting from the field and just 15 percent (5-32) from three-point land.
 
Chase Robinson led a trio of Vikings in double figures with 20 points. Robinson tied his career-high which was set in last year's Horizon League Tournament Quarterfinal game at Youngstown State. He shot 60 percent from the field and connected on 3-of-5 from three-point range. Robinson was also a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
 
Tevin Smith tallied 15 points in just 22 minutes of action. Smith scored the first five points of the game but quickly headed to the bench after picking up his second foul just two minutes into the game. He made his presence known in the second half scoring 11 points after intermission. Smith was perfect from the floor at 4-for-4 and finished 6-for-8 from the free throw line.
 
Dylan Arnett had a monster game finishing with his fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Arnett set a new career best with 15 rebounds. He finished at 70 percent shooting from the floor.
 
Purdue Fort Wayne scored the first basket of the game to take a 2-0 lead. It would be the only lead the hosts held all night, as Smith responded with his five points on a three-pointer and two free throws to take the lead for the Vikings at 5-2.
 
Cleveland State extended its lead to double digits on a Robinson fast break layup with 10:04 remaining in the opening half. The Vikings led 19-8 at that point.
 
The lead was as large as 14 late in the first half, as Tahj Staveskie drained a pull-up jumper from the right slot to make it 33-19 CSU. The Vikings kept the double-digit lead headed into the locker room as it was 35-25 Cleveland State at halftime.
 
The Mastodons attempted to come back in the second half, but could only draw as close as seven points throughout the second half. Cleveland State's lockdown defense came up with key stops down the stretch to keep the Vikings safely out ahead. Cleveland State made its free throws down the stretch to secure the double-digit win.
 
The Vikings are off this weekend before returning to action next Wednesday at Northern Kentucky. The Vikings and Norse will tip at 7:00 from NKU's Truist Arena.