CLEVELAND – Four players scored in double figures, but the St. Bonaventure University women's basketball team fell to Cleveland State, 75-71, Wednesday in the first game of the CSU Invitational.

Laycee Drake poured in a career-high 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting to go along with six steals. Mackenzie Pettinelli and Aaliyah Parker finished with 12 points apiece while Brianna Barr-Buday chipped in a career-high 10 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting night.  

The Bonnies (5-2) and Vikings (5-1) traded scores as the first quarter closed with the hosts on top, 18-15.

Barr-Buday gave the Bonnies their first lead of the game, 19-18, with back-to-back baskets to begin the second period.

A few minutes later, the Bonnies used a 10-0 run capped off by an Ivona Djikanovic 3-pointer to take a 29-22 lead that forced Cleveland State to take a timeout.

The Vikings, however, responded with a 9-2 spurt to tie the game at 31-31 with 3:52 remaining in the half.

The hosts led, 37-35, following four free throws with under two minutes to play in the second before Drake's jumper fell to tie the contest back up before halftime at 37-37.

Cleveland State took a four-point lead just out of the break with a basket and a pair of free throws.

The Bonnies retook the lead, 50-49, on a Mackenzie Pettinelli 3-pointer from the wing with 3:31 remaining in the third.

The two teams traded baskets the rest of the period with the Vikings taking a slight edge, 56-54.

Elyse MacDonough converted on a 3-pointer to begin the fourth that gave the Bonnies a 57-56 advantage.

The Vikings, however, quickly retook a three-point lead, 60-57.

Cleveland State would not trail again, growing its lead to as many as six in the final minute of the game.

GAME NOTES

• The Bonnies finished the night shooting 26-for-59 (44.1 percent) from the floor while Cleveland State shot 25-for-47 (53.2 percent) from the field.
• Bona's registered a season-best 13 steals vs. the Vikings. The Bonnies' previous season-high was nine against Niagara.
• Ivona Djikanovic earned her first career start, playing 24 minutes with five points, two rebounds, two assists and a block.
• The Bonnies bench outscored the Cleveland State reserves, 19-5.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JIM CROWLEY
"I think its a lot about of our maturity right now. That's a really good team on their home floor. It took a lot of emotion so I'm glad we have tomorrow to regroup, but that's why we do it. How do we follow a gameplan that is a quick turnaround. We've got to do a good job as coaches, keeping them focused, where they need to be and we need our leaders to really make sure to know why we are here. One was tough, but we've got two more to go."

UP NEXT
The Bonnies are back in action Friday, Nov. 28 when they take on Radford at the CSU Invitational. Tipoff is slated for 4:00 p.m.

------
For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on X @GoBonnies and get women's basketball updates @BonniesWBB. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies. Bonnies Women's Basketball can be found on Instagram @bonnies_wbb.