Detroit, MI-The Cleveland State men's basketball team remained atop the Horizon League standings with three league games remaining as the Vikings downed Detroit Mercy on the road 73-65 to improve to 19-9 overall and 13-4 in league play. Detroit Mercy falls to 8-21 and 4-14.
Cleveland State led nearly wire-to-wire holding the advantage for over 37 minutes of game play. The Vikings shot 40 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range, as well as 78 percent from the free throw line which kept the lead late and secured the road win in the closing minutes.
Tahj Staveskie had a big night leading a trio of Vikings in double figures with 22 points on 6-of-16 from the field. Staveskie shot 50 percent from three-point range and made five of his six free throw attempts.
Reece Robinson finished with 11 points, with nine coming in the first half. Robinson scored in double figures for the sixth time this season and finished 4-for-7 from the floor.
Tevin Smith was the third player in double figures finishing with 10 points. Smith also shot 50 percent from the field.
Both teams struggled from the field early on. Cleveland State started to find its rhythm when
Chase Robinson hit a three-point shot to make it 9-5 Vikings with 13:29 to play in the opening half.
The first half lead grew as large as nine points when
Reece Robinson connected on a jumper that made it 25-16 CSU with just over six minutes to play. The Viking lead held firm at eight headed into the locker room with Cleveland State in front 33-25. Smith connected on a jumper with three seconds to play to cap a 4-0 mini run to widen the margin going into the half.
Cleveland State continued its momentum early in the second half, with Staveskie connecting on a second-chance three-pointer off a
Dylan Arnett offensive rebound to give the Vikings their largest lead of the night just over six minutes in. It was 46-33 Vikings with 14:57 to play.
Detroit Mercy fought back late and at one point trimmed its deficit to one possession with just over four minutes to play. However, the Titans could not draw any closer as Cleveland State made its free throws down the stretch to keep the lead and secure the victory.
The Vikings will continue the weekend trip through the State of Michigan with a Sunday afternoon matchup at Oakland University on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. from Oakland's O'Rena.
