Cleveland State women’s basketball set to host Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown Viking Invitational

Cleveland State women’s basketball are set to host the Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown Viking Invitational from Nov. 23-26, with a total of six games being played at the Wolstein Center.

Four teams will play in the event, including Cleveland State, Georgia State, St. Bonaventure, and Bellarmine. All four teams are set to play each other during the four days.

Cleveland State Vikings

The Vikings kick off the Invitational against the Panthers on Nov. 23 at 4 p.m. The Vikings are 2-1 on the season, coming off an overtime win against DePaul University. Georgia State is 1-3 on the season, with their only win coming against Agnes Scott College.

Guard Destiny Leo leads the Vikings in scoring, averaging 16.3 points, 3 assists, and 5.3 turnovers a game. Forward Brittni Moore is also averaging double-digit points at 11.7, 6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals a game.

Cleveland State is led by Chris Kielsmeier, who is in his fifth season leading the program. Kielsmeier owns a 68-50 record at Cleveland State and has led the Vikings to the Horizon League Championship game and back-to-back postseason appearances.

The Vikings will play Bellarmine on Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. and St. Bonaventure on Nov. 26 at 4 p.m.

Georgia State Panthers

Guard Tehya Lyons leads the Panthers in scoring with 12.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.7 steals per game. Guard Mikyla Tolivert averages 11.3 points, 5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2.3 steals. Forward Deasia Merrill also chips in 10.5 points and 6.0 rebounds a game for the Panthers.

Georgia State is led by Gene Hill. Hill is in his third season with the Panthers, owning a 26-38 record in three years with the program. 

Georgia State plays St. Bonaventure on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and Bellarmine on Nov. 26 at 1 p.m.

Bellarmine Knights 

Bellarmine is 0-3 on the season and is led by Chancellor Dugan. Dugan is in her 11th season as head coach of the program, owning a 152- 126 record.

Guard Hayley Harrison and Center Gracie Merkle led the Knights in scoring with 10.7 points per game. Harrison is also averaging 2.3 assists and 6 turnovers a game. Merkle is crashing the boards, averaging 7.3 rebounds a game.

Bellarmine will play St. Bonaventure on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.

St. Bonaventure Bonnies

St. Bonaventure is 1-2 on the season, with their only win coming against Siena University. The Bonnies are led by Jesse Fleming. Fleming is in his 7th season leading the program with a 51-120 record.

Guard Maddie Dziezgowski leads the Bonnies in scoring with 17 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. Guard Tianna Johnson averages 11.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals.

Full Schedule

Nov. 23:

Cleveland State vs. Georgia State – 4 p.m. 

Bellamine vs. St. Bonaventure – 7 p.m.

Nov. 25:

Cleveland State vs. Bellarmine – 4 p.m.

Georgia State vs. St. Bonaventure – 7 p.m.

Nov. 26:

Georgia State vs. Bellarmine – 1 p.m.

Cleveland State vs. St. Bonaventure – 4 p.m.