by CLEVELAND, Ohio– Once Cleveland State got ahead from the opening tip-off, they never looked back. The Vikings (16-5, 12-2) were able to continue their winning streak as they defeated Milwaukee (7-17, 5-10) 84-71
The Vikings really put the pressure on Milwaukee early on. The Panthers struggled shooting the ball in the first half as they connected on just 9-of-33 shots from the field.
“I thought team defensively, we did what we needed to do,” head coach Dennis Gates said. “We took away angles and different things like that. It was a team effort on (Patrick Baldwin Jr., he’s a top 5 draft pick. I’ve seen a lot of draft picks in my time in the ACC and he’s top 5, not top 10.”
Baldwin finished the game with five points on just 1-of-8 shooting from the floor.
As a result, the Vikings were able to dominate the game in transition. Players like Tre Gomillion and D’Moi Hodge took advantage of their speed and physicality to put up points in a hurry. They held a 10-1 scoring advantage in the open court throughout the first half.
Their largest lead got as high as 16 points in the first half–holding a 44-28 lead at halftime–following an and-one from Broc Finstuen. He had seven points off the bench in the first half. Yahell Hill and D’Moi Hodge paced the offense in the first half, scoring 12 and 11 points to give the Vikings a secure lead at the break.
At halftime, Cleveland State retired Clinton Ransey’s jersey No. 44. He was part of the 1986 team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament and averaged 15.6 points throughout his four-year career.
Cleveland State legend Clinton Ransey (@ClintonRansey)- a member of the 1986 Viking team that advanced to the Sweet 16– returned home and now his number will be honored inside the Wolstein Center. @SportsKee1 @csu_basketball pic.twitter.com/aFmgQM4Wu1
— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) February 6, 2022
The second half was no different, as the pace of play was dominated by the Vikings and their lead just continued to grow. Yahel Hill and D’Moi Hodge were a force all night, controlling the offense while 21 and 17 points each to help lead the team.
Hill had 17 points in 23 minutes off the bench, continuing to be a spark the Vikings need down the stretch. He’s a player that’s not thinking on the court, just doing what he knows he’s able to do, explained Gates.
“For him to be able to continue to do what he’s doing off the bench, he’s putting himself in position to be Sixth Man of the Year and that’s a title you can’t take lightly,” he said.
“We’re just allowing him to do what he does and as a head coach, compared to last year I think I got in his way and this year, I’m out of his way,” Gates added. “He’s so talented to be able to do and play through whatever mistakes or shots he needs to take and make…He’s doing it with the right pace and the right speed.”
The Viking lead was in the 20s for most of the second half as Milwaukee had no answer for what they were faced within the halfcourt.
Torrey Patton, Deonte Johnson and Tre Gomillion also contributed in big ways during the Viking win. They combined for 33 points, creating plenty of scoring opportunities for a team that’s playing as good of basketball as they have all year.
For D’Moi Hodge, he’s a player that’s playing with great confidence at the moment, Gates explained.
“Just working on transition drills and in-and-out drills in practice just helps me get the confidence needed in a game,” Hodge said.
“D’Moi does a great job and he’s gotten better and more confident in his ball-handling because he’s worked at it…He started working and watching film for the first time at a high level (first getting to Cleveland State) and now the game has slowed down,” Gates added.
The Vikings have seven games remaining on the year, including just two more home games. Gates and his team will look to continue their winning streak as they host UIC on Feb. 10.
“Our conference is not easy, it’s not easy to get here and play knowing that you’re targeted from your opponent on any given night,” Gates said.
