by After a back-and-forth first half, Purdue Fort Wayne used a 12-0 run over the final minutes of the second quarter to gain a 39-30 edge heading into the halftime break.
The Vikings then slowly chipped away at the Mastodon lead throughout the third quarter, including a Destiny Leo three-pointer at the 1:36 mark that closed the gap to just two points at 50-48. Purdue Fort Wayne then closed out the frame on a 4-2 run, taking a 54-50 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Cleveland State opened the fourth quarter on a 7-2 run, earning their first lead since late in the second quarter on a pair of Jordana Reisma free throws, putting CSU up 57-56 with 7:57 left on the clock.
Although the Mastodons answered with a layup on their next possession, a Macey Fegan three-pointer put the Vikings back on top at 60-58 with just under seven minutes to play. The two teams then traded baskets – and leads – over the next few minutes, with a pair of Fegan free throws once again knotting the contest at 66-66 with 3:55 left on the clock.
Purdue Fort Wayne was once again able to regain the lead a few possessions later, with the Mastodons holding this advantage over the next 2:52, until another Leo three-pointer tied the score once again at 75-75 with just 22 seconds remaining.
The Mastodons were then able to convert a three-pointer in the final seconds, regaining a 78-75 advantage that would go on to hold for the final score after a Cleveland State three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.
