YSU's losing skid hits six games

The Penguins still couldn't find their offense in a loss to Kent State.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Is Tisha Hill frustrated?
You bet.
Does she think things will turn around?
You bet.
"Things aren't going our way at the moment," the Youngstown State women's basketball coach said. "There's been some frustration. But I've got 14 young ladies who can play.
"We're making some changes and trying to find a spark."
In the meantime, the Penguins may have to suffer through a few more games like Saturday's, when they continued to struggle offensively and dropped their sixth straight game, a 66-53 decision to visiting Kent State.
"We're trying to get ourselves to the point where we can overcome deficits," Hill said.
"But we need to score more than 18 in a half."
Offensive struggles
YSU shot just 29 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes -- it finished at 32.7 percent -- to fall behind 35-18 at halftime.
The Penguins entered the game averaging just 52.8 points per game and 32.3 percent shooting from the field, so Saturday's game was just the latest example of their offensive woes.
"They've got some very good offensive players," Kent State coach Bob Lindsay said of YSU. "They just need to play with more consistency."
Jessica Olmstead led the Penguins (1-6) with 13 points and eight rebounds, but shot just 5 of 18 from the field.
Devin Novak added 11 points and Kristy Gaudiose had eight points and six assists.
"We're too tentative," Hill said. "I can't have more confidence in them than they have in themselves. And there's been frustration -- if there wasn't, there would be a problem.
"They all want to win. We're not going to give up."
Playing well in win
Andrea Csaszar, a 6-foot, 6-inch center from Hungary, led Kent State with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The Golden Flashes (3-2) held the edge in rebounds (42-38) and steals (15-9) and had fewer turnovers (23-18).
"I told the team that this was a very good win for us," said Lindsay, whose team had lost three straight to YSU at Beeghly Center. "Traditionally, they play very tough at home.
"I just thought our defense was the difference in the game."
Lindsay Shearer had 12 points and seven rebounds and Malika Willoughby added 11 points and seven steals for Kent.
Things don't get any easier for YSU, as the Penguins will play host to Atlantic Coast Conference-power Clemson on Friday night.
"Clemson is going to be a tremendous task for us," Hill said. "But it's an opportunity for us to upset an ACC team on our home court when no one else thinks we can do it."
scalzo@vindy.com