CLEVELAND — Tevin Smith’s performance, contributing 17 points, guided Cleveland State to a 68-57 victory over Purdue Fort Wayne in their regular-season finale on Saturday.
As the Horizon League Tournament approaches, Cleveland State is poised to enter as the No. 2 seed, while Purdue Fort Wayne will take the No. 5 position.
Contributing to the Vikings’ (20-11, 14-6 Horizon League) triumph, Smith also pulled down five rebounds. Additionally, Je’Shawn Stevenson made notable contributions by scoring 14 points, hitting 4 of 6 shots, including an impressive 2 for 3 from three-point territory, alongside a perfect 4 for 4 from the free-throw line. Tahj Staveskie added to the scoreboard by securing 12 points, shooting 4 for 12 overall and 2 for 7 from beyond the arc.
On the other side, Purdue Fort Wayne’s Rasheed Bello led his team with a strong showing, amassing 20 points for the Mastodons (19-12, 12-8). Quinton Morton-Robertson also stood out by contributing 12 points and achieving two steals, while Eric Mulder supplemented the effort with 10 points, complemented by seven rebounds and three steals.
Cleveland State emerged victorious, reinforcing their status ahead of the Horizon League Tournament, with players like Smith and Stevenson stepping up at critical moments. Purdue Fort Wayne, despite the loss, showcased talent through standout performances by Bello and Morton-Robertson as they prepare for the upcoming competition.
