Vikings Complete the Chicago Sweep Holding Off Loyola 83-70
The Cleveland State Vikings knew they had to win both games in their road trip to Chicago and took care of business. The Vikings stormed out to a 7-0 lead in the early going and things looked it would be an easy afternoon for Gary Water's men. The Loyola Ramblers 4-9 (12-13), however, had other ideas and fought back to even things up late in the second half but the Vikings answered with a run of their own for a 5 point advantage heading to half time with a 32-27 lead. In the second frame, the Vikings proved to be the superior team playing steady basketball and building a double digit advantage throughout most of the second half. After the Vikings built a 16 point lead the Ramblers fought back to cut the deficit to 7 with 5:30 minutes left but the Vikings wouldn't let this one get away sealing the deal hitting shots and getting the stops necessary to seal the Chicago sweep.
J'Nathan Bullock set the tone early hitting two quick threes that help build the early advantage. The senior got in foul trouble which led to Loyola's run but Viking players such as Chris Moore and George Tandy weathered the storm and provided offense of their own both to lesson the absence of their star player. Bullock, Moore, and Tandy all scored in double digits as the Vikings shot a scorching 58% from the floor in the win and 84% from the charity stripe. Tandy's 16 point effort was the seniors season high. Loyola's Leon Young did his best to keep his team in the game but his 22 points which led all scorers wasn't enough in the losing effort.
The wins in Chicago came down to three things that Coach Waters holds near and dear to his heart: Hustle, Defense, and Rebounding. The addition of D'Aundray Brown, who had been hobbled by injuries midway through the season, proved vital as his presence does wonders and frees other CSU players to do their roles. For the second straight game the sophomore from Youngstown hit the glass for more than 10 boards and played tenacious defense that gave the Ramblers fits all afternoon long.
The Vikings head back to Cleveland for games on Thursday and Saturday against Wisconsin Milwaukee and Green Bay. Both games are key for the club as both schools are currently ahead of them in the Horizon League standings. The Vikings are 17-8( 8-5) and a half game behind Wright State who hosts the top team in the league Butler tonight which CSU fans should pay close attention to as the Vikings hope to earn at least a third seed in the league for an easier draw in the Horizon League Tournament next month.
