Cleveland State women’s basketball (1-0, 0,0) kicked off its 2026-27 season with a 62-61 win over Penn State on Monday, in University Park, Pennsylvania, giving head coach Bob Dunn a victory in his first game with the Vikings. 

The victory was Cleveland State’s first win against a Power Four opponent since the 2012-13 season. It was also only the second matchup between the programs, with their previous meeting taking place during the 1984-85 season.

Game stats

Macie Taylor led Cleveland State offensively, finishing with 20 points. Chloe Oliver, Sarah Hurley and Alexa Hocevar each contributed nine points.

Taylor and Oliver also led the team in assists, recording five apiece. Paula Pique paced the Vikings on the boards with nine rebounds, followed by Oliver with eight and Hocevar with seven. Oliver and Pique each recorded two steals.

The game

Cleveland State entered halftime with a narrow 27-25 advantage before both teams exchanged three-pointers to open the third quarter. Taylor connected from beyond the arc shortly after the break, putting the Vikings ahead 30-28.

Penn State tied the game at 30, but Cleveland State answered with a 6-0 scoring run, giving the Vikings a 36-30 lead..

Cleveland State maintained its advantage through the middle of the third quarter. Layups from Taylor and Pique pushed the lead to 40-35 before another basket from Pique extended the margin to seven.

However, Penn State responded with a 9-2 run to close the quarter, sending the teams into the final period tied at 44.

The back-and-forth scoring continued into the fourth quarter. A three-pointer from Silvia Gonzalez tied the game at 47 with 9:01 remaining. On the Vikings' next possession, Hurley knocked down a three to put them back in front.

The Vikings held onto the lead as the clock continued to wind down. Hocevar added a layup, while Pique converted two free throws to give Cleveland State a 56-52 advantage with 1:58 remaining.

Taylor then took over at the free-throw line, making all six of her attempts during the final 1:44. Her scoring helped Cleveland State build a seven-point lead, 62-55, with just 14 seconds remaining.

Penn State managed to cut the deficit to one with two late three-pointers, but Cleveland State held its ground defensively on the final possession to secure the 62-61 season-opening win.

Up next

The Vikings return to action Thursday, Nov. 5, when they travel to Bowling Green to face the Falcons (1-0, 0-0). Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.