For only the fourth time the Cleveland State Vikings advanced to the Horizon League championship game, coming back against Milwaukee on Monday night in Indianapolis. It's also the first time the Vikings have competed for the league title since the 2018 season.

D’Moi Hodge got the Vikings off to a quick start hitting a triple from the top of the key and then stealing the ball and converting on the fast break to give Cleveland State a five-point lead.

Cleveland State jumped out to a 14-6 advantage with 14:17 remaining in the half behind Hodge and Torrey Patton’s combined 10 points.

The game swung into Milwaukee’s favor when the Panthers went on a 19-2 run that spanned 10 minutes. Yahel Hill put a stop to that when he scored a floater with a few minutes remaining in the half to bring the score to 25-19, but still in Milwaukee’s favor.

The Vikings managed to keep the score within two possessions going into halftime thanks to their defensive play that held the Panthers to 38 percent shooting.

Early in the second half, Patton knocked down a triple to bring the Vikings back within a basket at 32-29. However, the Panthers regained their advantage on a Josh Thomas layup that extended their lead to 38-31.

A corner three from the Panthers' DeAndre Gholston saw Milwaukee match its largest lead of the night at 48-39.

Jayson Woodrich gave the Vikings a much needed spark when he beat the buzzer from long range before Algevon Eichelberger capped off a quick 5-0 run with a layup.

With just over five minutes to play Craig Beaudion and Woodrich both hit threes to cut the Panthers' lead to a single point at 58-57.

Gomillion then gave Cleveland State their first lead since early in the first half when he slammed the ball on Milwaukee after a fast break. Fouled on the play, he converted the free throw to give the Vikings a 66-64 edge.

Beaudion sealed the victory for CSU with 16 seconds remaining on the clock with an open court layup. Patton finished off the win with a pair of free throws to make the score 71-65 in the final seconds.

Cleveland State advanced to the #HLMBB Championship game, tonight at 7 p.m. where they will play the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.