CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Send out the tape. Mail the box score. Word of mouth won't do this justice.

Senior guard Norris Cole played pack mule Saturday afternoon carrying Cleveland State to a tough 86-76 victory over stubborn Youngstown State before 3,875 fans in the Wolstein Center. Cole scored 21 of his career-high 41 points in the opening half to keep CSU from getting blown off its own court.

He didn't cool after intermission -- Cole had a double-double in both halves -- seemingly making every big play in a refuse-to-lose effort that put the Vikings at 22-5, 11-4, still in second but in the fight for the Horizon League title going into Wednesday's critical game at Wright State.

Cole, who played all 40 minutes, put his league Player of the Year resume on the table, and potential All-American credentials as well. He finished just shy of the first triple-double in school history adding 20 rebounds and nine assists.

"The basket feels big, the game slows down," Cole said. "That's what you want in a groove like that."

Behind the strength of 3-point shooting, the Penguins took a 22-16 lead midway through the first half. About all that was keeping the Vikings afloat was the relentless drive of Cole, who epitomized his will to win with a defensive rebound and coast-to-coast streak for a layup that cut YSU's lead to 24-20. The Penguins (8-17, 2-13), however, were holding the Vikings off with their sharp shooting (10-of-23) behind the arc.

Cole did not slow down. "I had to lead the challenge," he said.

YSU coach Jerry Slocum acknowledged Cole was the difference.

"We have a very hard time guarding that guy," he said. "When we did guard him, he went to the foul line (11 of 13). He obviously was the difference in the game."

The Penguins pushed their lead to 31-20, but Cole answered with a 3-pointer, then another defensive rebound and blitz downcourt for an assist to Jeremy Montgomery for a layup. Moments later, Cole was at the line for a pair of free throws to trim the deficit to 31-27.

A 15-foot jumper, a 3-pointer and two more free throws from Cole got the Vikings within 36-34 at the half.

The second half began much like the first as YSU pushed its lead out once again, 42-34, before Cole warmed up with another coast-to-coast trip to the hoop for a basket and foul, then an assist to Tim Kamczyc followed by a Tre Harmon 3-pointer to force a YSU timeout with the game tied at 42.

The Penguins got nothing out of their possession, then CSU got two free throws from Aaron Pogue to take their first lead, 44-42, since early in the first half.

Back in sync, CSU patiently went for the victory from there with Cole perhaps putting the clamps on the Player of the Year award.

"If it's not, then they can't see," Waters said of the award voters.