Green Bay's impressive performance on the road was highlighted by Preston Ruedinger's outstanding all-around game, as the Phoenix cruised to an 88-73 victory over Cleveland State at the Wolstein Center. Ruedinger's 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists made him nearly unstoppable, and his teammates followed suit, putting on a show in the second half to seal the win.
The first half was closely contested, with Green Bay taking a slim 37-40 lead into the break. However, the Phoenix came out firing in the second half, outscoring Cleveland State 51-33 to pull away. Ruedinger was the catalyst, but he had plenty of help from his supporting cast, including Marcus Hall, who chipped in with 21 points and 7 rebounds, and C.J. O'Hara, who added 16 points.
Cleveland State, meanwhile, was led by Tre Beard's 18 points, while Dayan Nessah contributed 16 points and Preist Ryan added 10. Despite their best efforts, the Vikings were unable to keep pace with Green Bay's high-powered offense, which shot efficiently and moved the ball effectively throughout the game.
The win was a significant one for Green Bay, which improved to 12-10 on the season. While it wasn't an upset, given the teams' relative records and rankings, it was an important victory for the Phoenix, who are looking to build momentum as the season enters its final stretch. Cleveland State, on the other hand, fell to 7-14, and want to regroup and refocus after a tough loss.
In terms of resume implications, this game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for both teams. For Green Bay, the win helps to bolster their profile, but it's not a particularly notable victory given Cleveland State's lower ranking. For the Vikings, the loss is another blow to their already slim tournament hopes. As a Quadrant 4 loss, it won't hurt Cleveland State's resume too badly, but it's a missed opportunity to pick up a win against a mid-tier opponent.
Ultimately, Green Bay's dominant performance was the story of the game, and Ruedinger's triple-double threat was the key to their success. As the Phoenix look to make a push in the second half of the season, they'll need more performances like this from their star player. For Cleveland State, the focus will be on bouncing back and finding ways to compete with more talented opponents like Green Bay. The loss may not be devastating, but it's a reminder of the work that still needs to be done for the Vikings to become a consistent winner.