Preview: Northern Kentucky at Cleveland State CLEVELAND (Interstat) — A pair of Horizon League rivals heading in opposite directions meet Wednesday night when the Northern Kentucky Norse visit the Cleveland State Vikings at Wolstein Center. Northern Kentucky (16-12) enters the contest looking to rebound from a 64-58 road loss at Youngstown State on Sunday. The Norse had won three of their previous four games prior to that defeat. Cleveland State (10-19) seeks to halt a five-game skid, most recently a 92-86 home loss to Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday. The Norse won the season’s first meeting decisively, 95-80, in Highland Heights, Kentucky, on Dec. 3. Northern Kentucky’s consistency this season has been bolstered by forward Tae Dozier. Over his last seven games, Dozier is averaging 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per contest, including a 20-point, four-block performance in an overtime loss to Green Bay on Feb. 4. Cleveland State will counter with forward Josiah Harris, who has been a bright spot during the team’s difficult stretch. Harris is averaging 10.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game over his last seven outings, posting a double-double of 14 points and eight rebounds in the most recent loss. The Vikings have shown they can be dangerous at home, having secured Horizon League wins over Oakland, Milwaukee and Green Bay in Cleveland in recent weeks. However, defensive struggles have plagued them during their losing streak, allowing an average of 95.2 points per game over the last five. For Northern Kentucky, maintaining its defensive intensity from its Feb. 7 win over Milwaukee, where it held the Panthers to 62 points, will be key. The Norse have proven capable of winning close conference road games, as seen in their 84-81 victory at IU Indianapolis on Feb. 12. Wednesday’s matchup is the penultimate regular-season game for both teams. Northern Kentucky will host Wright State on Saturday, while Cleveland State travels to Robert Morris. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at the Wolstein Center.