Cleveland State pulled off a stunning upset at the Wolstein Center, taking down Youngstown State 80-78 in a nail-biting contest that will have real consequences for both teams' resumes. The Vikings, ranked 320th in the net rankings, were not expected to topple the Penguins, who sat 91 spots higher at 229. However, behind a phenomenal performance from Dayan Nessah, Cleveland State proved that rankings can be meaningless on any given night.
Nessah was unstoppable, pouring in 26 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to lead the Vikings' charge. He received ample support from Chevalier Emery, who chipped in 17 points, and Tre Beard, who added 16. The trio's combined efforts allowed Cleveland State to overcome a talented Youngstown State squad, led by Cris Carroll's impressive 21-point, 11-rebound outing. Carroll's dominance in the paint was matched by Nessah's scoring prowess, setting the stage for a back-and-forth battle that went down to the wire.
The first half ended with both teams deadlocked at 28-28, a reflection of the evenly matched nature of the contest. However, Cleveland State managed to gain some separation in the second half, thanks in large part to Nessah's scorching hot shooting. The Vikings' 52-point outburst in the final 20 minutes was just enough to hold off a late Youngstown State surge, which saw the Penguins narrow the deficit to a single possession in the game's final minutes.
The absence of a pre-game prediction only adds to the shock value of this upset, as Cleveland State was likely given little chance of emerging victorious. Nevertheless, the Vikings' players and coaching staff clearly had other plans, executing a game plan that exploited Youngstown State's weaknesses and capitalized on their own strengths.
This victory will undoubtedly be a significant boost to Cleveland State's resume, particularly given its Quadrant 4 designation. While the win may not dramatically alter the Vikings' tournament chances, it serves as a crucial morale booster and a reflection of the team's ability to compete against more highly ranked opponents. For Youngstown State, the loss will be a tough pill to swallow, as it not only damages their own resume but also hands them a Quadrant 4 defeat.
As the season wears on, Cleveland State want to build on this momentum, using the confidence gained from their upset victory to fuel future successes. Meanwhile, Youngstown State will aim to regroup and refocus, recognizing that a single loss – no matter how surprising – cannot define their entire campaign. The implications of this result will be felt for weeks to come, as both teams navigate the complexities of their respective schedules and strive to make a lasting impact on the college basketball landscape.