CLEVELAND STATE SUFFERS SETBACK AGAINST WALTERS STATE

CLEVELAND - After picking up two impressive wins earlier in the week at Roane State, Cleveland State's basketball teams were dealt a pair of tough losses by Walters State over the weekend.

The Cougars held the Senators to 65 points, but still came up four points short in a 65-61 loss. In what Cougars head coach Lee Cigliano referred to as a slower tempo game, things were looking up for Cleveland State (10-4, 5-4) at halftime, as they were up 34-32 over Walters State (17-2, 7-2).

The Senators outshot the Cougars 33-27 in the second half to snatch the win away from the home team.

"You hope to score more than 61 points at home. You have to credit Walters State, because they did guard us pretty well," Cigliano stated.

"As the game wound down we were right there…We tried to draw something up, but didn't get it exactly the way we wanted it executed and didn't take the greatest of shots. We didn't convert and try to force the game into overtime."

Cam Copeland netted 16 points in the game, while Tevin Olison finished the night with 11 points. Jordan Williams led the Cougars with 10 rebounds, five offensive and five defensive.

"We had a chance against a team that is now in first place and went down to the wire. I liked the way that our guys battled, but we have to play better," Cigliano commented. "Even though we only gave up 65, we have to continue to get better defensively and offensively we have to figure out how to be more productive."

Walters State is now first in the TCCAA, with Cleveland State still in the thick of things at fourth.

Forward Victor Curry will begin practicing with the team again today and the coach is glad to have a forward with length back out on the court.

WALTERS STATE 66, CLEVELAND STATE 47

Following up their 50-42 win over Roane State with a loss was not what the Lady Cougars (10-7, 4-5) had in mind this weekend, but second place Walters State (13-6, 8-1) capitalized in key areas to keep their hosts at bay.

"They are a good team and we felt like there were some key areas that we needed to do well in, taking care of the ball and rebounding, but they just did a much better job in those areas," Lady Cougars head coach Dan Lumpkin said. "We turned the ball over far too many times and they converted 29 points from turnovers, which was a huge factor in the game."

The Lady Senators jumped out to a 17-9 lead over the Lady Cougars in the first quarter. By halftime, that lead had become 29-17

Cleveland State picked up their offensive efforts in the third quarter, but were still outshot 21-17 by Walters State. Shooting remained close in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Cougars were unable to shake off that rough first half.

"The No. 1 thing we have to work on is taking care of the ball. We have to take care of the ball against high intensity pressure," Lumpkin said. "We're looking for good quality shots from our possessions."

Abby Hubert led the Lady Cougars with 16 points.

Conference play continues for Cleveland State with an action-packed weekend, with back-to-back home games against Columbia State on Friday (5:30, 7:30) and Jackson State on Saturday (2, 4). In keeping with Cleveland State's 50^th Anniversary celebrations, there is no cost to attend home games. Those who cannot be there in person to support the Cougars and Lady Cougars can follow the action online at cscougars.com.

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