CLEVELAND — One of the best runs in Cleveland State women's basketball history came to an end Saturday, as the Vikings saw their 16-game winning streak snapped with an 82-65 loss to Green Bay at the Wolstein Center.
CSU (16-2, 7-1 Horizon League) suffered its first defeat since the season opener against nationally ranked Iowa State, as well as its first loss in conference play. The Vikes fell behind early and trailed by as many as 26 before only lightly cutting into the deficit in garbage time.
The Vikings shot just 30.8% from the field, with Gabriella Smith's 10 points making her the only player on the team to reach double figures. Additionally, they were out-rebounded 42-34 and their bench out-scored 37-27.
By contrast, Green Bay (14-3, 7-1) made 54.% of its shots, including 11 of 23 from 3-point range. Natalie McNeal led the way with 16 points and eight rebounds off the bench while Julia Hartwig added 14 and 10 as the Phoenix cruised to their 11th consecutive victory.
Cleveland State and Green Bay now find themselves tied for first in the Horizon League, with the Phoenix currently holding the tiebreaker with the head-to-head advantage. The Vikes will look to get back in the win column Friday night when they head to Wright State for the start of a four-game road trip.
