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Cleveland State Survives West Florida, 69-67, at Bulldog Bash
By Piper Rampage
Photo: Dana Beveridge / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Cleveland State overcame a nine-point deficit early in the second half and survived a final buzzer-beating attempt to defeat West Florida 69-67 at the Alabama A&M Events Center during the Bulldog Bash.
Cleveland State improved to 2-2, while West Florida fell to 2-3.
West Florida led 36-31 at halftime and stretched its advantage to nine early in the second half. Cleveland State responded over the remainder of the game, outscoring West Florida 38-31 after halftime to claim the two-point victory.
The Vikings’ advantage on the boards proved decisive. Cleveland State outrebounded West Florida 37-20 and scored 18 second-chance points.
Xavier McKinney led Cleveland State with 17 points off the bench and added six rebounds. Curtis Stinson Jr. scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Deandre Jones contributed 10 points.
West Florida was led by Eze Wali and DJ Shine, who each scored 12 points. Shine also recorded four assists. Isaiah Alexander added 11 points and five assists.
The game remained undecided until the final moments. Alexander had a chance to win it for West Florida at the buzzer, but his attempt missed, preserving Cleveland State’s 69-67 victory.
The first half belonged narrowly to West Florida, which took its five-point lead into the break. The early portion of the second half widened that margin, but Cleveland State’s work on the glass helped turn the game.
McKinney’s 17 points off the bench paced the Vikings, while Stinson and Jones also reached double figures. Cleveland State’s 18 second-chance points came with its 17-rebound advantage.
West Florida received balanced scoring from Wali, Shine and Alexander, but the final possession did not produce the winning basket.
Cleveland State held on to even its record at 2-2.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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