Cleveland State: Vikings Clinch Third Seed in Horizon League Tournament with Win

Despite the fact that Thursday’s disappointing loss to University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee meant that the Vikings no longer controlled their own destiny for Horizon League Tournament seeding, Saturday was still a big day for the Cleveland State Vikings.

The Vikings’ regular season finale against the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix marked the last regular season game for senior Norris Cole, who has rewritten a variety of record books throughout the course of his senior season. Along with setting several new Cleveland State records, Cole set an ESPN BracketBusters record for most points scored in a single BracketBusters game.

After an emotional Senior Day celebration in which Cole and Joe Latas, the Vikings’ two seniors, were honored in front of an appreciative crowd of almost 5,000 fans, the Vikings took the floor with purpose and determination in their eyes.

Unlike their past two games against Old Dominion and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Vikings came out firing on all cylinders and played extremely well on both ends of the floor. Balanced scoring, combined with their characteristically smothering defense, allowed the Vikings to take an 11 point lead into halftime. Foul trouble to Aaron Pogue in the first half required Coach Gary Waters to give considerable first half minutes to Luda Ndaye and Joe Latas, and they responded with solid defense and hustle.

Defensive adjustments, improved shooting and major contributions from their bench in the second half allowed the Phoenix to narrow Cleveland State’s lead to two with approximately four minutes left in the game. The Phoenix switched to a zone defense which limited Norris Cole’s ability to penetrate and distribute. After shooting only 19 percent in the first half, the Phoenix heated up in the second half and shot 50 percent from the field. Additionally, the Phoenix received nine crucial points from their bench, while the Vikings received none.

As the Phoenix gradually cut into the Vikings’ lead during the second half, the Wolstein Center grew increasingly anxious and tense, aware that a Vikings loss would thwart any chance of obtaining the first or second seed in the Horizon League Tournament.

However, Cleveland State battled back and prevented the Phoenix from getting any closer. After the teams traded a number of missed baskets, the Vikings’ Tim Kamczyk drained a three-pointer with slightly less than three minutes left to extend the Vikings’ lead to five.

Although the Phoenix were able to pull within three towards the end of the game, Norris Cole and Trevon Harmon’s clutch free-throw shooting enabled the Vikings to pull out the win and clinch the third seed in the Horizon League Tournament.

Vikings fans will have at least one more opportunity to see Norris Cole shine at the Wolstein Center before he departs for the bright lights of the NBA. The Vikings will host either the Youngstown State Penguins or the University of Illinois-Chicago Flames in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament on Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. as they begin their journey to return to the NCAA Tournament.

Undoubtedly, winning four straight games against tough Horizon League competition will be a tough endeavor for the Vikings. Nevertheless, Cleveland State fans should take comfort in the fact that the Vikings were seeded third in the 2009 Horizon League Tournament and proceeded to win four straight games to clinch the Horizon League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, including a thrilling win at Butler on their home floor. 

With a roster steeped in postseason experience, Coach Gary Waters and the Vikings are well positioned to repeat this feat and make their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three seasons.