Purdue Fort Wayne emerged victorious over Cleveland State in a closely contested matchup, securing a 92-86 win and a six-point margin of victory. The two teams exchanged leads throughout the game, with Cleveland State holding a narrow 40-43 advantage at halftime and a 46-49 edge in the second half. Despite their lower NET ranking, Purdue Fort Wayne was able to outpace the Vikings, ultimately securing a crucial road win. The outcome was a testament to Purdue Fort Wayne's ability to outperform their seeding, while Cleveland State's performance was a reminder that they continue to be a competitive force in the conference.
A 29-point, 10-rebound performance from Corey Hadnot II set the tone for Purdue Fort Wayne, showcasing his versatility on the court. His efficiency from the field, connecting on 9 of 13 shots, was complemented by a strong showing from beyond the arc, where he made 6 of 7 three-point attempts. Hadnot II's ability to distribute the ball effectively was also on display, as he dished out 7 assists in the win.
Maximus Nelson's sharp shooting from beyond the arc was a crucial factor in the victory, as he made all 6 of his three-point attempts to finish with 18 points. His 6-for-9 overall shooting performance from the field was a testament to his accuracy and ability to find open spaces on the court. Meanwhile, Mikale Stevenson played a supporting role, contributing 15 points and 5 assists, although he struggled with his three-point shooting, making just 2 of 8 attempts.
Finishing with 19 points on 7-15 shooting from Lipsey wasn't enough to keep Cleveland State in it, as he struggled from the field and beyond the arc, hitting just 4 of 14 three-point attempts. Despite his efforts, his 3 assists and 4 rebounds were not enough to compensate for the team's overall performance.
Chevalier Emery's 21 points, however, were a bright spot for Cleveland State, but ultimately not enough to overcome the deficit. His 3 rebounds and 3 assists were solid contributions, but his 6-15 shooting from the field and 4-8 three-point shooting left much to be desired. Josiah Harris's 14 points and 8 rebounds were a team high in rebounding, but his 2 assists and 2-4 three-point shooting left him somewhat overshadowed by his teammates' struggles.
A 9-point outing from Deangelo Elisee — 5.5 points above his season average — marked a significant increase in scoring production for the Purdue Fort Wayne forward. Elisee's rebounding also saw a notable uptick, as his 9 boards were 6.5 more than his season average, showcasing his ability to secure key rebounds in critical moments. Despite this, Elisee's limited assist and block production on the night remained consistent with his season averages, indicating that his increased scoring and rebounding were not a result of expanded playing time or increased involvement in the offense.
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CORRECTPredicted
Final
Despite the prediction calling for a narrow Purdue Fort Wayne victory, the Mastodons ultimately outpaced their forecasted margin by six points. While the prediction was correct in its outcome, the final score far exceeded the projected total.
The decisive factors in this game appear to be Cleveland State's uncharacteristic shooting struggles and Purdue Fort Wayne's dominant rebounding performance. The Vikings' eFG% plummeted from their season average of 54.6% to 61.0%, a significant drop that limited their scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, the Mastodons' rebounding rate surged to 21.9%, nearly a full percentage point above their season average, allowing them to secure crucial second-chance opportunities and sustain their scoring pace.
The result has significant implications for both teams' conference tournament positioning. For Purdue Fort Wayne, this win boosts their chances of securing the Horizon League's auto-bid, moving them up the conference standings and into a more favorable position for the conference tournament. With a now 15-13 record, they have strengthened their hold on a potential top-half finish, setting themselves up for a more advantageous seeding in the conference tournament. Conversely, Cleveland State's loss drops them to 10-18, significantly narrowing their margin for error in the final weeks of the regular season. They now face a more daunting task in securing a top-half finish, which could result in a lower seeding and a more challenging path to the conference tournament championship.