CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State men’s basketball team’s season came to a close Wednesday night, as the Vikings lost, 79-68, to Illinois State in the College Basketball Invitational title game at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. CSU finishes with 23-13 record. Third-year coach Daniyal Robinson has surpassed Kevin Mackey for the most wins by a Cleveland State coach in his first three years, with 65 victories. Illinois State seized control late in the first half. The Redbirds led by as many as 15 points in the second half, and while Cleveland State made several attempts to cut into the deficit, it was unable to close the gap. Tevin Smith led the Vikings with 16 points. Je’Shawn Stevenson and Chase Robinson each finished with 11 points. CSU’s Tahj Staveskie and Isaac Abidde added 10 points apiece. Staveskie was named to the all-tournament team. Caden Boser led ISU with 20 points. The CBI championship game appearance marked the fifth straight postseason berth for the Cleveland State program. Generative AI was used to draft this story, based on data provided by Cleveland State Athletics. It was reviewed and edited by cleveland.com.