Vikings hung in ... for a while

Cleveland State fell behind 14 early in last night's Horizon League championship game against No. 10 Butler, but the Vikings fought their way back to tie it with 1:50 left in the first half; Butler then went ahead four at the half. With 14 minutes left in the game, Butler was only up two (43-41). But then the Bulldogs got off a 17-3 run, and our guys had nothing left in the tank. But still, it was a strong effort against a darned good team.

"I told our guys to keep their heads up," said CSU coach Gary Waters, who took Kent State to the Elite Eight a few years ago. "One game doesn't change your whole season."

Well-said, sir. Well-said.

Cleveland State's probably going to the NIT, which isn't the Big Dance, but it's a significant accomplishment nonetheless. This city should be proud of these young men.