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Horizon League Tournament Results: Cleveland State Loses To Butler For Third Time This Season

The Cleveland State Vikings are done in the Horizon League Tournament, with only slim hopes remaining that they get an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament next Sunday.

For the third time this season, the Vikings lost to the Butler Bulldogs, this time on a neutral court 76-68. Cleveland State never could get over the hump in a game that Butler led wire-to-wire. Norris Cole scored 24 points to lead the Vikings, who shot just 41.5% from the field. The Vikings were really done in by their poor 3-point shooting – 3-14, 21.4% – which has been the case during most of their losses this season.

Butler shot the ball much better from the field – 47.2% from the field, and drilled 9-24 threes to get the win. Butler also dominated the glass, out-rebounding Cleveland State 37-25.

Four Butler starters were in double figures, led by guard Shawn Vanzant’s 18 points. Matt Howard had 14 points and 8 rebounds while Andrew smith added 12 points and 8 rebounds for the Bulldogs who improved to 22-9 on the season.

Cleveland State fell to 26-8 and will wait to see if there is more basketball to be played – be it in the NCAA Tournament or the NIT.

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.