Karena scores 18, Wright State beats Cleveland State 55-51

Feb 27, 2016, 03:38 pm

CLEVELAND -- Michael Karena had 18 points, Biggie Minnis added 11 and Wright State led throughout the second half to beat Cleveland State 55-51 on Saturday.

The Raiders (19-12, 13-5 Horizon) had their largest lead at 49-34 with 6:06 left and held on from there. They tied Oakland (13-5) at second place, 2 1/2 games behind Valparaiso (15-2) in the league standings.

The Vikings (9-22, 4-14) rallied with a 17-4 run to make for an exciting finish. Rob Edwards' 4-point play capped the run and pulled Cleveland State within 53-51 with 16.9 seconds left.

Mark Alstork pushed Wright State's lead back to four on a pair of free throws with 6.8 seconds left.

Edwards led the Vikings with 20 points and Kenny Carpenter added 13. Cleveland State opened the game with a 10-3 run but fell behind for good midway through the first half.