Jan. 5, 2008

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes

Contact: Brian McCann

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Vikings made it a flawless home stand as they defeated the UIC Flames 68-51 Saturday in Horizon League play at the Wolstein Center.

The story of the game was the physicality that the Vikings played with in winning both the rebound battle (44-30) and in outscoring UIC in points in the paint by 36-18. CSU also held the Flames of UIC to only 28.6% shooting, the lowest shooting percentage by a CSU opponent this season.

"I thought our guys understood what they had to do on defense today and really executed the plan," said head coach Gary Waters, "We rebounded the basketball and that is one of our strengths. We did what we do best, and that is to execute on defense. If we continue to play strong defense like that, this could be a very special season."

With the victory, Cleveland State moves to 10-5 (3-0 HL) while UIC drops to 8-7 (2-2 HL). The Vikings have now matched their win totals from last season (10-21 overall, 3-13 HL in 2006-07), and remain in first place in the Horizon League through 15 games for the first time since the 1999-00 season.

"There has definitely been progress, but you are going to have to judge us at the end of January," continued Waters, "What we have done here is hold serve. If you lose one at home, you better go on the road and steal one."

The first half was a back and forth affair as the game got underway, featuring four lead changes through the first 11 minutes. UIC scored the first five points of the game to make it 5-0 at 19:03, but CSU scored the next 7 to make it 7-5 at the 16:58 mark. UIC would lead by as many as six (13-7 at the 14:29 mark).

At that point Cleveland State looked to take control, and a fifth lead change at the 10:54 mark following a lay-up by the Vikings' Joe Davis would prove to be the game's last.

The Vikings closed out the first half outscoring the Flames 18-8 from the 10:54 mark on, and it truly was a full team effort on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, with all but one of the Vikings who got minutes in the first half contributing points. Cedric Jackson led the way individually with six rebounds (five defensive), three assists, one block, and four points despite shooting only 1-for-4 from the floor in the first stanza.

In the second half the Vikings kept the pressure up on the Flames with a strong assault on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court

J'Nathan Bullock continued to provide a steady presence on the offensive end of the floor as he led all scorers with 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting to go along with his eight rebounds. Kevin Francis followed a career best in three pointers from Thursday's game with a career best in rebounds as he grabbed 13 boards against UIC to go with seven points on 2-for-5 shooting (3-for-4 free throws). Francis' rebound total was also the most by any Viking on the season for a single game.

Robert Bush, with 12 points on 5-for-12 shooting, led UIC in their losing effort.

The Vikings will return to action on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2008 against Detroit, with game time set for 7:05 p.m.