YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Interstat) — A surging Cleveland State women’s basketball team will look to continue its dominant start to the season when it hosts in-state Horizon League rival Youngstown State on Monday afternoon at Wolstein Center. The Vikings (12-2) have won six straight games, including a commanding 82-45 victory over P.R.-Mayaguez on Dec. 21. They are led by standout guard Jada Leonard, who is coming off a 25-point, 7-rebound, 6-assist performance in that win. Leonard has averaged 16.4 points per game during the winning streak. Youngstown State (8-4) aims to build momentum after a 72-69 home win over Massachusetts on Dec. 20. The Penguins’ success often hinges on forward Sophia Gregory, who recorded a notable 14-rebound, 6-assist game against UMass. Gregory has been a consistent contributor, scoring in double figures in four of her last seven outings. This matchup pits Cleveland State’s high-powered offense, which has scored 80 or more points four times this season, against a Youngstown State team that has shown resilience in close games, with a 3-1 record in contests decided by five points or fewer. The Vikings’ only losses came on the road against Detroit Mercy (76-68) and Northwestern (75-68). Youngstown State has faced a challenging schedule, including a 96-52 loss at Michigan State, but boasts road wins at Akron and Milwaukee. Cleveland State holds the clear advantage in recent form and will be playing on its home court, where it is 7-1 this season. Youngstown State, however, has proven capable of pulling off upsets and will rely on Gregory’s versatile playmaking to challenge the league frontrunner. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST Monday in Cleveland. The teams will meet again in Youngstown on Jan. 25.