The Cleveland State Vikings strengthened their Horizon League position with a decisive 73-65 victory over Detroit Mercy on Friday night. Tahj Staveskie delivered a standout performance, scoring 22 points while demonstrating remarkable accuracy from three-point range in this critical conference matchup.
Staveskie’s offensive leadership propelled the Vikings (19-9, 13-4 Horizon League), with the guard converting five three-pointers and maintaining composure at the free-throw line. Supporting contributions came from Reece Robinson (11 points) and Tevin Smith (10 points), who combined for efficient shooting across multiple phases of play.
Detroit Mercy (8-21, 4-14) struggled to contain Cleveland State’s perimeter attack despite strong efforts from Orlando Lovejoy (17 points, 6 rebounds) and Nate Johnson (16 points). The Titans’ defensive challenges persisted, particularly against opponents’ three-point specialists.
Key game statistics:
- Cleveland State shot 40% from three-point range
- Detroit Mercy outrebounded 32-28 but committed 14 turnovers
- Vikings converted 78% of free throws in clutch moments
With this win, Cleveland State maintains pressure atop the Horizon League standings as they prepare for Sunday’s road test against Oakland. Detroit Mercy seeks redemption Thursday against Green Bay, needing improved perimeter defense to salvage their challenging season.
Analysts highlight the Vikings’ balanced scoring as a postseason differentiator, with three players consistently reaching double figures. Staveskie’s emergence as a three-point threat adds critical depth to their offensive schemes, potentially reshaping the Horizon League playoff landscape.