Tuesday, December 2nd, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Wolstein Center (13,610) -- Cleveland, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: Valpo 2-0, Cleveland State 2-1. Away Record: Valpo 0-0, Cleveland State 1-1. Neutral Record: Valpo 0-3, Cleveland State 1-0. Conference Record: Valpo 0-0, Cleveland State 0-0. Series Record: Cleveland State leads, 24-7.

GAME NOTES: The Cleveland State Vikings will try to remain in the win column when they host the Valparaiso Crusaders in a non-league affair at the Wolstein Center. After opening the season with two straight wins the wheels have fallen off for the Crusaders, as the team has dropped its last three matchups. The last time Valpo was on the court the team suffered a tough, 75-70 overtime loss to La Salle. After this contest the Crusaders will remain on the road to take on the Youngstown State Penguins. As for the Vikings, they storm into this meeting with Valpo, riding a three-game winning streak. The most recent victory was a solid, 66-58 decision over Florida International in the BCE Classic Regional title game. Cleveland State, which finished last year with a 12-3 ledger at home, comes into this contest with a 2-1 mark in front of its home crowd. With regard to the all-time series between the two schools, the Vikings hold a commanding, 24-7 edge over Valpo, and that includes a 69-63 victory over the Crusaders this past season.

The Crusaders does not have many player to lean on offensively, which is why the team is netting 69.4 ppg. De'Andre Haskins is currently pacing the team at that end of the floor, but is averaging just 11.0 ppg. Michael Rogers is the only other player netting double figures, posting 10.4 ppg to go along with 5.4 rpg. The last time Valpo was on the court the team shot 45.3 percent from the floor, but made just 15-of-24 attempts from the foul line, and eventually fell to La Salle by five points in overtime. Haskins led the way in the loss with 20 points, but also committed a team-high five turnovers. Benjamin Fumey added 17 points and also pulled down seven rebounds, while Urule Igbavboa chipped in with nine points and nine boards.

The Vikings have not put their best foot forward offensively, yet the team is 4-2 on the year. Cleveland State is averaging just 65.8 ppg, while shooting a mere 41.9 percent from the floor. J'Nathan Bullock is only shooting 38.2 percent from the field on the year, but is still leading the team with 13.3 ppg, and is also collecting 7.0 rpg. Norris Cole is next in line with 12.8 ppg, while Cedric Jackson is posting 10.3 ppg to go along with a team-high 37 assists. D'Aundray Brown rounds out the double-figure scorers with 10.0 ppg, and is also collecting 6.7 rpg. The last time CSU was on the floor the team tallied just 66 points, but it was enough to grab a win over FIU. The Vikings shot 46.2 percent from the floor, and overcame a meager 5-of-17 clip from long range. Bullock posted 16 points and grabbed seven caroms, while Brown and Jackson both tallied 15 points apiece.

Cleveland State is not performing at a high level offensively, but the team is still winning. The Vikings might not put forth an overwhelming effort at that end of the floor this evening, but the team should do enough to grab a win.

Predicted Outcome

Cleveland State 67, Valparaiso 63