The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Cleveland State on to Horizon title game
The Vikings overcome an 11-point deficit in the second half to oust Milwaukee, 71-65, and advance to the conference championship game.
It’s come down to a one-game scenario for the Cleveland State men’s basketball.
One more victory, and it will be dancing its way to March Madness.
Tre Gomillion’s 3-point play with one minute to play and Beachwood grad Jayson Woodrich’s 11 second-half points were just enough as the Vikings rallied to defeat Milwaukee, 71-65, in a Horizon League semifinal at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis.
CSU (18-7) will play either Northern Kentucky or Oakland in the Horizon championship game March 9 for an automatic spot the NCAA tournament. The program is looking for its third trip to the tournament.
It made the field in 1986 and 2009.
Getting to the conference tournament championship game wasn’t easy for the No. 1 Vikings as the No. 8 seed gave them a fight throughout.
Milwaukee threatened to pull away when it was up, 52-41, with less than 10 minutes remaining. That’s when Woodrich’s shooting prowess really came to the forefront.
First, he made a 3-pointer to pull CSU within eight at 52-44. The freshman then made another 3 and it was 54-49 in favor of Milwaukee. Goodrich’s third 3 of the second half came with 3 minutes, 53 second remaining and the Vikings were within one at 58-57.
Milwaukee’s Deandre Gholstone made a basket for a 60-57 lead before Woodrich made 2 of 3 free throws after being fouled on another 3.
A pull-up jumper by Josh Thomas (game-high 25 points) was good and the Panthers led, 62-59. Gholston then connected on another jump with 1:56 remaining, and Milwaukee went up 64-61.
A Torrey Patton layup made it 64-63 until Gomillion’s dunk and subsequent free throw gave CSU its first lead since early in the first half.
Gomillion led CSU in scoring with 16 points, and Patton added 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
Amir Allen had eight points and 15 rebounds for Milwaukee (10-12). Gholston had 10 points but
struggled from the field as he made 4 of 12 shots.
CSU women lose
Earlier in the day at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, the CSU women lost in a Horizon semifinal to No. 1 seed Wright State, 73-62.
The Vikings (11-9) were within striking distance at halftime, and trailed 37-35
but No. 1 seed Wright State (17-7) outscored CSU, 36-27, in the second half.
Mariah White had 24 points to lead the Vikings. Eastlake North grad Destiny Leo scored eight points and eight five rebounds in 31 minutes.
Wright State’s Angel Baker scored a game-high 29 points.