The CSU women’s basketball team hosted the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Viking Invitational, sweeping victories against three teams throughout Thanksgiving week in Woodling Gymnasium.
The invitational kicked off on Wednesday, Nov. 22 for a match against Austin Peay. The game had a fickle start for the Vikings, but they sparked up some momentum in the second half to emerge victorious 62-57.
The first half was a constant back and forth, with the teams tying at the end of the first quarter with a score of 18-18. As the first half progressed, Austin Peay took over with a 4-0 run to close the half with a score of 31-26. The Vikings came out of the second half hot, taking advantage of the lead midway through the third quarter.
CSU would quickly expand on that lead with a 9-4 run that would put them up 45-37 with 10 minutes left on the clock. Austin Peay competed to the very end but fell to the Vikings as the latter held onto their lead in the final minutes. Senior Destiny Leo and junior Colbi Maples led the team’s offense with a combined 43 points.
Chicago State
The Vikings had a blowout win against Chicago State for the invitational’s second match on Friday, Nov. 24, with a score of 95-41. This victory would get Chris Kielsmeier his 100th win as head coach.
Indeed, CSU took advantage early with a 14-0 run following tip-off. To add on, the Vikings’ defense kept the Cougars from scoring until the two minute mark in the first quarter. CSU closed the first quarter with a 19-point edge that would be expanded on in the second quarter, giving the Vikings a 30-point advantage going into halftime with a score of 49-9.
The second half was nothing but kind to CSU, holding a fairly large advantage over Chicago State that would lead the team to victory.
The Vikings shot 45 percent from the field, with four players in double digits. It is to note that Sophomore Faith Burch recorded her first double-double, finishing with a career high 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Kansas City
The invitational wrapped up on Saturday, Nov. 25 with CSU’s 82-55 win against Kansas City, granting CSU an undefeated weekend.
The Vikings came into this match with the momentum they left off with in the previous, closing the first quarter out with a 22-15 advantage.
Their lead grew into the double digits, but would later be cut down to single digits, but that didn’t shake the team up in the slightest. CSU quickly regained momentum to close the half with a score of 42-31.
To begin the second half, the Vikings went on a 9-0 run that would expand on the team’s sizable advantage, which would be maintained to bring the team to yet another victory. Cleveland State held a 46-20 advantage in the paint, and shot 51 percent from the field.
With a Wednesday night victory against Robert Morris to kick off Horizon League play, CSU women’s basketball currently has a season overall of 6-1.
The Vikings will travel to Northern Kentucky for a 2 p.m. Horizon League match.
Derek Williams