Lady Vikings end season with 2 losses

Coming soon to clevelandstater.com:

The women’s basketball team finished their season the weekend before spring break, with a regular season loss to Youngstown State and a narrow defeat in the Horizon League quarterfinals versus UIC. 

After the two losses, the Vikings end their season at 14-16.

“This season will leave us with a feeling of unfinished business,” said Coach Kate Peterson Abiad, “and motivate our players to prepare in the off-season to compete for a championship in 2014-15.”

Against YSU, the team saw a lot of good offense--junior Cori Coleman led the Vikings with 22, and three other players were in double digits.

But despite the Vikings’ best efforts, the Penguins held their lead throughout the game.

After that, the Vikings, 5th seed in the Horizon League, played the 4th-seeded UIC Flames. UIC scored the first 15 points, but the Vikings fought back to as close as 65-66.

Leading the team in scoring was junior Imani Gordon with 22 points, and freshman Olivia Voskuhl with 15. Voskuhl didn’t miss all night. 

Cleveland State shot better from the field, but the Flames had 40 rebounds, 18 on offense, compared to the Vikings’ 28.

The Vikings fought hard, only down 70-72 with 12 seconds left on the clock--but the Flames were able to hold on to their lead at the free throw line and finish up 77-72.

Cleveland State’s Imani Gordon was named to the First Team All-Horizon League, and freshman Khayla Livingston to the Horizon League All-Freshman team.

“I wish we could get started on next season right now,” said Abiad. “We have a real feeling of dissatisfaction and a real desire to get back on the court and compete.”