tevenson’s 20 Points Lead Cleveland State Past Green Bay, 83-61
CLEVELAND — Tristan Enaruna wasn’t the only star for Cleveland State on Saturday, as Tayvion Stevenson poured in 20 points to propel the Vikings to a decisive 83-61 victory over Green Bay in a Horizon League matchup.
Stevenson’s performance was a testament to the depth and balance of Cleveland State’s roster, as he shot an impressive 8-for-11 from the field and contributed six rebounds. His energy on both ends of the floor set the tone early and helped the Vikings pull away in the second half.
“We came into this game knowing how important it was to maintain our intensity,” Stevenson said postgame. “Everyone stepped up, and we played our brand of basketball.”
Cleveland State (7-3, 2-1 Horizon League) wasted no time establishing control. Behind Stevenson’s hot hand and strong defensive pressure, the Vikings jumped out to a 15-point lead midway through the first half. Green Bay (2-8, 0-3 Horizon League) struggled to find answers, shooting just 35% from the field before halftime.
Enaruna, the team’s leading scorer this season, added 16 points and seven rebounds, providing his usual steady presence. Guard Drew Lowder chipped in with 12 points and three assists, giving Cleveland State multiple offensive options.
“We emphasize sharing the ball and making the extra pass,” head coach Daniyal Robinson said. “When we do that, good things happen, and tonight was a great example of that.”
For Green Bay, it was another difficult outing in a season marked by growing pains. The Phoenix were led by freshman guard Zae Blake, who scored 14 points and dished out five assists. Junior forward Cade Meyer added 12 points, but Green Bay couldn’t match Cleveland State’s pace or physicality in the paint.
Turnovers were a significant issue for the Phoenix, who committed 18 giveaways that led to 24 Cleveland State points. Head coach Sundance Wicks acknowledged the team’s struggles after the game.
“We’re still figuring out who we are as a team,” Wicks said. “Cleveland State played with purpose and discipline, and we have to learn how to match that.”
The Vikings took their game to another level in the second half, outscoring Green Bay 45-33. Stevenson continued to dominate, scoring 12 of his 20 points after the break. Cleveland State’s defense tightened as well, holding Green Bay to just one field goal over a five-minute stretch that allowed the Vikings to extend their lead to 25.
Bench contributions also played a crucial role, with forward Deante Johnson providing nine points and eight rebounds in limited minutes. Cleveland State’s reserves combined for 24 points, further underscoring the team’s depth.
With the win, Cleveland State remains a strong contender in the Horizon League. They’ll look to build on this momentum in their next game against Detroit Mercy. Meanwhile, Green Bay will return home to face Milwaukee, hoping to turn their season around.
For Cleveland State, Saturday’s performance was a reminder of their potential when firing on all cylinders. If Stevenson and his teammates can continue to deliver, the Vikings could be a force to be reckoned with come tournament time
