Cleveland State Women’s Basketball Dominates Detroit Mercy to Reach Semifinals

In a dominant display, the Cleveland State women’s basketball team crushed the Detroit Mercy Titans, 92-61, in the Horizon League tournament quarterfinals. The victory propels the third-seeded Vikings (24-8) into the semifinal round.

They will face No. 2 Purdue Fort Wayne at 2:30 p.m. on Monday. This match was also the Vikings’ last home game of the season, with the remaining tournament games set to take place at the Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis.

Head coach Chris Kielsmeier’s message was clear: earn a semifinal berth for the sixth consecutive season, and the team delivered. The Vikings are now focused on their unfinished business as they aim for the NCAA Tournament.

The Path to Victory

The Cleveland State Vikings showcased their prowess from the outset, despite a slow start in the first quarter.

The sixth-seeded Titans (15-15) attempted to disrupt the Vikings with a 2-2-1 press defense, but it only resulted in two turnovers. After the Titans briefly took the lead, the Vikings’ defense clamped down, not allowing another score until late in the quarter.

Senior guard Destiny Leo led the charge with six of her 11 points in the first quarter, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer that gave the Vikings a 20-8 lead.

Second Quarter Surge

In the second quarter, the Vikings shifted their strategy to feeding the ball to Jordana Reisma, who dominated the paint. Reisma scored nine of her 18 points in this period alone.

The Vikings’ defense also intensified, forcing nine of the Titans’ 21 turnovers in the second quarter. By halftime, Cleveland State had extended their lead to 39-21, thanks to their cohesive 2-3 zone defense and aggressive offensive plays.

Third Quarter Dominance

Mickayla Perdue took over offensively in the third quarter, scoring nine of her game-high 24 points. Despite struggling with her three-point shooting, Perdue found ways to penetrate the defense and create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.

The Vikings continued to control the game, maintaining their lead and heading into the final quarter with a comfortable margin.

Key Players and Stats

Several players stood out in this decisive victory:

• Destiny Leo: Scored 11 points, with six points in the first quarter alone.
• Jordana Reisma: Dominated the second quarter with nine points, finishing with 18 points total.
• Mickayla Perdue: Led all scorers with 24 points, including nine in the third quarter, and added five assists.
• Emaia O’Brien: Top scorer for the Titans with 22 points, including 10 in the second quarter.

Defensive Prowess

The Vikings’ defense was a critical factor in their victory. Their 2-3 zone defense caused significant problems for the Titans, leading to 21 turnovers.

The team’s energy and cohesion on defense allowed them to get deflections and steals, which translated into offensive opportunities.

As Mickayla Perdue noted, *It takes all five on the court for the defense to be effective.*

Looking Ahead

With this victory, the Vikings have secured their spot in the Horizon League semifinals. They will face No. 2 Purdue Fort Wayne, aiming to continue their journey towards the NCAA Tournament.

The team’s recent performance has been impressive, but consistency remains a key focus as they prepare for the upcoming challenge.

As Perdue mentioned, *We have to be more consistent, especially during the playoffs when every game is win or go home.*

Historical Context

This season marks another successful chapter in the Vikings’ history. With 24 wins, this season ranks as the third most successful in program history, behind only the 2022-23 season (30 wins) and the 2023-24 season (29 wins).

Head coach Chris Kielsmeier has led the team to six consecutive semifinal appearances, a testament to the program’s sustained excellence.

Unfinished Business

The Vikings are driven by their motto of *unfinished business.* After a record-breaking 2022-23 season and a disappointing early exit in the 2024 postseason, the team is determined to return to the NCAA Tournament.

Their focus and determination were evident in their dominant performance against Detroit Mercy, and they are now one step closer to achieving their goal.

Conclusion

The Cleveland State women’s basketball team has once again proven their strength and resilience with a commanding victory over Detroit Mercy. As they advance to the Horizon League semifinals, the Vikings are focused on their ultimate goal: returning to the NCAA Tournament.

With key players like Destiny Leo, Jordana Reisma, and Mickayla Perdue leading the way, and a defense that can stifle opponents, the Vikings are poised for continued success.

For more details on the game and the Vikings’ journey, visit the original article on Cleveland.com.