NKU men’s basketball traveled to the Wolstein Center on Wednesday to take on the Cleveland State Vikings. NKU came into this game trying to end a current two-game losing streak while Cleveland State was looking to extend their current nine-game win streak.
The game was fast-paced and physical from tip off as Tahj Staveskie scored the first points of the game, nailing a mid-range jumper. Sam Vinson would tie the game quickly with a layup. Josh Dilling would hit Trey Robinson with a nice pass for his first points of the game. Robinson would follow that up with a steal and score. CSU responded with a three from Staveskie and a putback from Reece Robinson.
As the dust settled, the Vikings would have a narrow edge, as they led 7-6.
The exciting action continued when Randall Pettus II found the cutting Keeyan Itejere for a rim-rocking slam. Dylan Arnett would answer for the Vikings with an offensive rebound and a baby hook to give them the lead back. Robinson would quickly seize the lead with his go-to post spin and score. The game would remain close just like the last two match ups from the previous season that resulted in one-score games.
Hubertas Pivorius would end the back-and-forth action with a three-pointer to give the Norse a 15-13 lead right before the next official whistle as the fans were finally able to take a breath.
Physicality was allowed on both sides throughout; CSU wouldn’t pick up a foul for six minutes and NKU wouldn’t register one until nine minutes into the game. CSU owned this stretch, as four different Vikings scored throughout a 8-0 run that was capped off with back-to-back makes from Robinson to make it a 21-15 game.
Vinson was a big part of the next chunk of minutes as he scored four quick points, while Arnett split the Vinson baskets with a score in the post. Arnett and Vinson would continue to have their own personal game as Arnett dunked, Vinson quickly responded with a contested layup. Staveskie would then get back to his scoring ways with another mid-range shot. An Itejere floater would connect to cut the deficit to two.
CSU would show why they are atop the Horizon League standings as they went on a 8-3 run with Staveskie scoring five points after an Isaac Abidde perimeter shot found the bottom of the net.
This forced a timeout for the Norse as a once close game quickly found CSU leading 35-28, which would end up being the score as the teams took a break for halftime.
The second half would not start as fast as the first, with neither team scoring for the first 90 seconds of the half.
Scoring would finally start as free throws were made and Staveskie continued knocking down outside jumpers. NKU would keep it close as Vinson made a contested layup and Dilling knocked down a much needed three. The Vikings led 40-34.
The scoring would get back to its fast and frequent style as Staveskie would score for CSU. Vinson and Robinson would answer back for the Norse. The Vikings found momentum as Staveskie forced another NKU timeout with a huge three-pointer. CSU would find their first double-digit lead of the night when Robinson scored over the outstretched hands of Itejere.
The deficit would not get closer than nine points from that point, as Cleveland State would go on to win 74-58 for their ninth straight win.
NKU continues to look for answers as they are now on a three-game losing streak. The Norse will look to right the ship when they return home to Truist Arena to take on Horizon League foe Wright State. The tip off is at 2 p.m. and can be seen on the Fanduel Sports Network.