(1) Green Bay vs (2) Cleveland State | 2023 Horizon League Tournament: Championship | 3.7.23

Описание: INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - The Cleveland State women's basketball team captured its third Horizon League Tournament title in program history Tuesday, earning a 73-61 victory over Green Bay to clinch the 2023 Barbasol Horizon League Women's Basketball Championship.

With the championship, the Vikings will now be advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history. Cleveland State will find out its matchup during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday, March 12. Cleveland State will be hosting a Selection Show Watch Party, with details to be announced at a later date.

Playing as the No. 2 seed, Cleveland State picked up a 65-52 victory over Milwaukee in the Quarterfinals, then earned a 63-60 overtime win against Northern Kentucky in the Semifinals, before capturing the 2023 #HLWBB crown Tuesday afternoon with a 73-61 victory over top-seeded Green Bay in the championship matchup.

This marks the third Horizon League Tournament title in program history, with the Vikings also taking home the crown during the 2007-08 and 2009-10 seasons.

Cleveland State was making its fourth championship game appearance - and second straight - now claiming the tournament title in three of its four championship game appearances.

Cleveland State's Destiny Leo was named the #HLWBB Tournament MVP, while Brittni Moore and Gabriella Smith earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Four Vikings finished with double-figure points during Tuesday's championship game, paced by Gabriella Smith with 19. Brittni Moore added 14 points, while Destiny Leo chipped in 13 and Deja Williams added 10.

Brittni Moore recorded her second straight double-double with a team-high 10 rebounds, while Barbara Zieniewska added seven boards and Jordana Reisma chipped in six.

The Vikings were able to take a 34-28 lead into the halftime break, before Green Bay trimmed the lead over the opening minutes of the third quarter to one point at the 36-35 mark. The Vikings responded with a Smith three-pointer on their ensuing possession, before a pair of baskets from Amele Ngwafang and Moore extended the Cleveland State lead to 43-35 with 2:19 left on the clock.

A Destiny Leo three-pointer over the final seconds of the frame put the Vikings up by double-digits at 49-39 heading into the final 10 minutes of action.

The Vikings then opened the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run, extending their lead to 60-39 on another Smith three-pointer midway through the frame.

Cleveland State was then able to hold off a Green Bay run over the final part of the fourth quarter, clinching the victory with a 6-for-6 effort from the free throw line from Moore and Leo.