Missing two starters, Vikings fall to Norse

With all hands on deck, the Cleveland State Vikings would have had their hands full with Horizon League regular-season title contender Northern Kentucky.

Minus the services of junior starting point guard Craig Beaudion and junior swing man Franklyn Penn Jr., both sidelined by injuries, the Vikings were no match for the Norse in a 7359 loss at the Wolstein Center on Feb. 20. Senior forward Dantez Walton netted a gamehigh 22 points for Northern Kentucky as the Norse improved to 20-8 overall and 12-4 in the Horizon

League.

The Norse are one game behind first-place Wright State (23-6, 13-3 Horizon), an 88-70 loser at Youngstown State on Feb. 20.

CSU junior Torrey Patton finished with 13 points for the Vikings, now 10-18 overall and 6-8 in the Horizon.

Northern Kentucky came into the game third in the league in scoring per game at 73.0 and first in defense at 65.8 points allowed. The Norse matched their usual offensive output while limiting the Vikings to 23 field goals and 45.1 percent shooting.

Wright State started fast, building leads as large as 12 points in the first half before CSU rallied late to trim the deficit to 29-26 at halftime. Northern Kentucky went on a 17-6 tear over the first six minutes of the second half to seize control.

“We had a great effort in the first half, but in the second half, Northern Kentucky pushed their will against us like an NCAA Tournament-caliber team would,” CSU coach Dennis Gates said.

Junior center Algevon Eichelberger added 12 points for the Vikings.

NKU posted decisive advantages in rebounds (4338), points off turnovers (17-5) and second-chance points (24-12).

The Vikings hurt their own cause with 13 turnovers and 9-of-20 shooting at the free-throw line.

Gates said Beaudoin, averaging 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and a team-leading 31.3 minutes per game, is done for the season with a strained knee. Penn, averaging 5.5 points and 4.1 rebounds, is doubtful through the remainder of the season with a high ankle sprain.

Neither team was fluid on offense in first half. The Norse eked out a 29-26 lead despite shooting 29.3 percent from the field. The Norse led by as many as 12 before a late push by CSU.

CSU returns to action against Wright State on Feb. 33. Tipoff is 3 p.m.