The Cleveland State Vikings came into the 2011-2012 basketball season as one of three favorites to win the Horizon League title. Youngstown State was a mere afterthought in most early season polls as they have repeatedly been a cellar dweller in the conference but an upset win over CSU last month propelled their season and set up a chance for the Penguins to share first place with the Vikings and Valparaiso by nights end. The city of Youngstown came out in force with a near capacity crowd of 6,313, helped by upwards of 1,000 CSU fans who made the hour long car trip, but it was apparent by nights end which Ohio team in the Horizon was the favorite to grab the regular season championship.
The Penguins kept the game in reach for the first 9 minutes but saw a 15-12 deficit turn into a 41-19 annihilation by the end of of the first half. The damage was done in large part by 6 of 8 three point shooting, the inside presence of Aaron Pogue and Anton Grady, and a swarming defense that YSU had no answers for. By the time first half was over, the large crowd that wanted to see the Penguins biggest victory in Horizon League history was taken out of the game and the CSU faithful had clearly taken over the enemy arena.
The second half saw the lead swell to 25 for the Vikings before the team set the ship to cruise control and settled for a 67-47 statement win that will reverberate throughout the conference.
Gotta <3 the Vikes being in first place in the Horizon League. GO VIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
natedogg827 1 month ago