Cougars Split Two Game Weekend

Cougars Split Two Game Weekend

Cleveland State's Men's Basketball Team split their weekend games with a loss to South Georgia Technical College and a win over Bristol Prep Academy. Dropping a tight game against South Georgia Tech, 82-86, Tevin Olison racked up 18 points on 6-9 shooting. Victor Curry cruised to a double-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Mohanna Sanders and Darius Turman both contributed from the bench, with 12 and 8 points respectively. Head Coach Lee Cigliano said, "It was good to see our team compete well Friday versus South Georgia Tech.  Although we were disappointed in losing a very winnable game my hope is that we can learn and improve individually and as a team from that game."

The Cougars moved on from their loss with a blowout win over Bristol Prep Academy with a final score of 95-60. Victor Curry led the team with yet another double-double, tallying 26 points, 11 rebounds. Tevin Olison and Basit Seidu also snagged double-doubles; Olison with 16 points, 10 rebounds and Seidu with 12 points, 10 rebounds. Darius Turman also got in on the action, throwing down 14 points and 7 rebounds. "I was proud of the way we came back and beat a very good prep school team on Saturday in Bristol Prep. We got a lot of contributions in that game from 2nd and 1st year players," said Cigliano. 

When asked about his team's chemistry Coach Cigliano said, "Both our second and first year players need to improve and grow so our chemistry will develop as we go through the season. Darius Turman had a really good game Saturday against Bristol Prep, and Basit Seidu gave us a much needed contribution in that game.  Mohanna Sanders shot the ball really well Friday and gave us a lift off the bench.  We need them to continue to play that way, as well as our other 1st year players giving us a lift."  

With a road matchup against Dyersburg State coming on Friday, this will be Cleveland State's first test against Conference competition. Cigliano commented, "This is an important game in the standings, and it's also a road game, adding even more importance. We need to have a good four days of work to prepare for Dyersburg State. We will focus, in part, on handling half court and full court pressure and put an emphasis on defending the ball this week."  

Look out for the Cougars as they take on Dyersburg State Community College on the road, this Friday, November 10th at 8:30 EST.