The Cleveland State men's basketball team went toe to toe with the nationally ranked Motlow Bucks on Friday night. But the flu bug and injuries added to the Cougars' frustration as they fell late by a 77-68 deficit. Cleveland played without their leading scorer Tevin Olison who was battling the flu bug, but several freshmen stepped to try and fill the void. Mohanna Sanders gave the team a lift at the start, hitting two straight three-pointers.
The teams would go into the break with Motlow holding a slim 39-35 lead. Victor Curry and Delaino Walker were key in the first 20 minutes as they accounted for 18 of the 35 first-half points. The second half was more fo the same strong competition as neither team could gain momentum. Free throws down the stretch by the victors would seal the Cougars' fate.
Curry would lead the team with 16 points and had eight rebounds. Walker would finish with 13 points and a team-high 11 rebounds & 4 steals. Cam Copeland would also reach double figures with 13 points and five assists.