Cleveland State women's basketball dominates paint, cruises past Oakland 73-59

Vikings use stifling defense and efficient offense to defeat Golden Grizzlies

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:23am

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The Cleveland State women's basketball team defeated Oakland 73-59 on Saturday, using a dominant performance in the paint and strong shooting to secure the victory. The Vikings outscored the Golden Grizzlies 42-14 in the paint and shot 54.7% from the field, compared to Oakland's 30.8%. Izabella Zingaro led all scorers with 26 points, while Colbi Maples and Jada Leonard also had strong games, combining for 37 points.

Why it matters

This win helps Cleveland State maintain its position in the Horizon League standings, as the Vikings improve to 23-8 overall and 13-7 in conference play. The team's dominant performance in the paint and efficient shooting showcase its ability to win games against tough opponents like Oakland.

The details

The Vikings trailed 21-18 after the first quarter but took control in the second period, holding Oakland to just seven points on 21.43% shooting while scoring 18 points to take a 36-28 halftime lead. Zingaro's scoring runs in the third quarter helped Cleveland State extend its lead to 14 points. The Vikings' defense forced 14 turnovers, leading to 10 fast-break points, and they recorded eight steals and four blocks.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Izabella Zingaro

The leading scorer for Cleveland State, Zingaro had 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field, along with six rebounds and one block.

Colbi Maples

A key contributor for the Vikings, Maples scored 20 points, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, and added two assists and two steals.

Jada Leonard

Leonard provided 17 points, a team-high six assists, five rebounds, and three steals for Cleveland State.

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The takeaway

This win highlights Cleveland State's well-rounded team effort, with strong contributions from multiple players, and demonstrates the Vikings' ability to adapt and overcome early deficits to secure important conference victories.