In roughly 24 hours, Bowling Green Women’s Basketball hits the floor of the Stroh Center to tip off the 2023-24 campaign under first year head coach Fred Chmiel.

Featuring a schedule chalked full of nationally-accredited blue bloods and the grind of the Mid-American Conference, the Falcons have themselves quite the challenge this season on paper.

But how does that challenge begin? It begins with the Cleveland State Vikings.

A look at the Vikings:

CLEVELAND STATE VIKINGS-

2022-23 Record: (30-5 OVR), (17-3 HORIZON)

Head Coach: Chris Kielsmeier (6th season)

Notable Kielsmeier Facts:

• 96-54 record at CSU and a 512-170 overall record in 23 seasons as a head coach.
• After ’22-23 season, received contract extension through ’27-28 season
• One of just two active Horizon League coaches with 500+ wins.
• Under Kielsmeier, the Vikings have recorded three 20-win seasons, including a program-record 30-win campaign during 2022-23.
• The only coach in program history to lead CSU to multiple 20+ win seasons

Notable Returnees:

• Destiny Leo (Sr.): The reigning Horizon League Player of the Year averaged 17.9 points per game a season ago, while also leading the Horizon and seventh nationally in free throw percentage (91.1%). Leo also is third all-time in CSU history in three-point field goals (214), and 11th all-time in points (1,433).

• Jordana Reisma (Soph.): Returns as an all-league nominee, and was part of the All-Freshman Horizon League team. Reisma averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds a game last year for the Vikings, while leading the team in blocks (43).

• Mickayla Perdue (Gr): The transfer from Glenville State and Toledo, Perdue last season averaged 17.7 points per game for the Pioneers, helping lead them to a 33-3 record, as well as an NCAA Division II Final Four appearance. Perdue led D-II in three-point field goals (110), and shot 38% from beyond the arc. Local product as well, as Perdue is an alum of Springfield High School.

Notable Numbers:

• During the 2022-23 campaign, the Vikings set single-season records for points (2,592), free throws made (599), blocks (138), and consecutive wins (16).
• Took home the 2023 Horizon League championship and made it to the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to the Villanova Wildcats in the first round 76-59.
• The Vikings, who were playing as the No. 13 seed, earned their highest seed in program history in the NCAA Tournament.

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