CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State built a halftime lead and continued to pull away in the second half, handing the Milwaukee men's basketball team an 84-71 loss Sunday afternoon at the Wolstein Center.
 
The Panthers (7-17, 5-10 Horizon League) were right with the Vikings (16-5, 12-2 Horizon League) for much of the first half before seeing the home team take control in improving to an impressive 13-2 at home this season. They also maintained their hold on first place in the Horizon League standings with a sixth victory in their past seven games.
 
CSU didn't give Milwaukee much of a chance for a comeback, extending a 16-point lead at the break to 20-plus on a three-pointer to lead 59-37 just a few minutes after intermission. The Panthers didn't help themselves, facing a tough shooting day from the field as well as being down two regular starters (Vin Baker Jr./Joey St. Pierre) due to injury.
 
"Today was tough not having our regular rotation of players, but we still have to play the game," head coach Pat Baldwin said. "Our guys are trying to find their way and this is an opportunity to move past this one and get ready for the next home games coming up."
 
DeAndre Gholston led the offense with 14 points, adding four assists and three rebounds. Josh Thomas went for 13 off the bench and Donovan Newby finished with 12.
 
The Vikings were led by 21 points from D'Moi Hodge, one of four players in double-figures.
 
Milwaukee made a dent late, getting it down to 15 at 72-57 on jumper from Jordan Lathon with around five to play and again on a Josh Thomas 3 at 76-61 with 3:30 remaining. That was as close as it would get until the final minute.
 
"We only had seven turnovers, so that is something to build on," Baldwin said. "We know we are playing against a team [Cleveland State] that applies a lot of pressure, so now we know we can take care of the basketball and put ourselves in position to win the rest of the way."
 
A bit of a ragged start, connecting on just two of their first nine, the Panthers kept battling and were within one at 9-8 on a Gholston three just after the first media timeout.
 
CSU jumped ahead 16-8, yet a tough three from the corner by Devon Hancock made it a one-possession game at 16-13. The Vikings forged ahead once more to take the 24-15 advantage, with MKE again using the 3 to stay close, seeing Newby connect to draw the team within four at 24-20.
 
From there Cleveland State finished the half strong, scoring 17 of next 23 to pull ahead at 41-26 in eventually holding a 44-28 advantage at the break.
 
MKE ended the day at 35.9 percent (23-of-64)) from the floor, compared to 49.2 percent (29-of-59) for the Vikes. Rebounds (38-36 CSU) and turnovers were nearly even (9-7 CSU). The home team did post a 40-26 advantage in points in the paint.
 
Up next, the Panthers return home for an extended five-game stretch, starting with a meeting against Northern Kentucky Feb. 9. Tip time against the Norse is set for 7 p.m.