Saturday, November 26th, 7:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: FIU Arena (5,100) -- Miami, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: CSU 2-1, FIU 3-1. Away Record: CSU 0-1, FIU 0-1. Neutral Record: CSU 1-0, FIU 0-0. Conference Record: CSU 0-0, FIU 0-0.

GAME NOTES: The Cleveland State Vikings will try to remain in the win column when they take on the Florida International Golden Panthers this evening at the FIU Arena as part of the CBE Classic. After losing two of their first three matchups, the Vikings have caught fire, and come into this game with a small two-game winning streak. Yesterday, Cleveland State put a beating on Toledo, 77-56. After this contest the Vikings will return home to host Valparaiso and Butler. As for the Golden Panthers, they fell to 3-2 on the season with a shocking, 57-54 loss to West Georgia on Tuesday. It was the second loss in the last three games for FIU, which opened the year with two straight victories. It does not get any easier for FIU after this contest, as the team will be on the road for five of its next seven games.

The success for the Vikings can be attributed to the team's solid defensive play, as CSU is holding the opposition to just 64.0 ppg, behind a 40.7 percent shooting effort from the floor. Unfortunately the Vikings have not been very sharp at the other end of the court, netting just 65.8 ppg. Norris Cole has been the top scoring option for CSU, as the guard is averaging 13.8 ppg. J'Nathan Bullock is contributing 12.8 ppg for CSU, despite shooting just 35.4 percent from the floor. Bullock is also pulling down a team-best 7.0 rpg. In the recent win over Toledo, the Vikings held the Rockets to a 40.9 percent shooting effort from the floor, and also forced Toledo in 25 turnovers. Offensively the team was paced by Chris Moore, who scored 17 points in the win. Cedric Jackson added 11 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for CSU, while Cole, Bullock and Jeremy Montgomery each tallied 10 points apiece.

The Golden Panthers have played like kittens at the offensive end of the floor and head into this game netting a meager 58.4 ppg, while shooting 39.8 percent from the field. Nikola Gacesa is currently leading the team with 11.6 ppg, while Russell Hicks is next in line with 10.0 ppg. Hicks is also collecting 5.6 rpg and has a team-best 12 blocks. In the loss to West Georgia the Golden Panthers shot a commendable 43.2 percent from the floor, but made just 1-of-8 three-point attempts and just 15-of-25 foul shots. Gacesa paced the team in the loss with 17 points and also hauled in seven rebounds, while Freddy Asprilla tallied 14 points to go along with nine caroms.

Although the Golden Panthers are home, they have played far too inconsistent to pose a threat to a very hot Cleveland State squad.

Predicted Outcome

Cleveland State 67, FIU 55