A half-time adjustment made by Cleveland State men's basketball coach Gary Waters helped the Vikings get off to a fast start in the second-half and take control of the game.
CSU would withstand several late rallies by Valpo and held on to a 76-65 victory on Thursday night at the Wolstein Center in front of a crowd of 4, 472, the third largest this season.
The Vikings would hold on to defeat the Crusaders, 76-65, Thursday night at the Wolstein Center in front of a crowd of 4, 472, the third largest this season.
The win gives first-place CSU (21-3, 10-2 Horizon League) some breathing room as second-place Valpo (16-7, 8-3 Horizon League) drops 1 1⁄2-games behind the Vikings.
CSU received a combined 51 points from Jeremy Montgomery and Norris Cole.
Valpo was led by Howard Little's 17 and Ryan Broekhoff's 15.
The first half started off just like the previous game at Valpo. CSU jumped out to a quick lead, led by as many as 11, and Valpo finished the half strong using a 12-2 run to cut the lead down to 31-30 at the half.
That's when Waters made his adjustment.