WOMEN'S BASKETBALL YSU plays Akron tough before losing in double overtime

Two free throws by Niles High graduate Lori Krezeczowski sealed the win.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AKRON -- Shooting woes plagued the Youngstown State women's basketball team Sunday afternoon against Akron at James A Rhodes arena.
The Penguins shot just 23 percent (17-74) from the field, yet rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit before falling in two overtimes to the Zips 67-62.
"You're going to have an off day [shooting] eventually," said YSU head coach Tisha Hill. "I have great shooters but most of my guards did have an off day today."
The Penguins (1-8) were fresh off an impressive game Friday where they gave Clemson all it wanted before falling 79-75.
But against Akron, YSU came out flat and struggled to score -- especially in the first half when it trailed 32-21.
Nothing easy
"We executed well and got open looks but not easy looks," Hill said. "So the shots didn't fall for us."
Senior Devin Novak hit just 5 of 19 shots to lead the Penguins in scoring with 17 points. Jessica Olmstead scored 16 points but hit just 6 of 22 shots.
Hanek also struggled and made just 1 of 10 tries.
"I'm not sure what was the problem," Novak said. "I'm not sure if we weren't focused or were too confident.
"We didn't have the same intensity. I guess our heads just weren't in the game today. We're going to have to pick it up in our next practices."
Despite the problems, YSU did tie the game at the end of regulation and had chances to pull it out in both overtime sessions.
Trailing by three points in the second overtime, Novak took a long 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left that was off the mark.
Akron guard Lori Krezeczowski sealed the win by making two free throws with 4.6 seconds on the clock.
Krezeczowski, a graduate of Niles, played 48 of 50 minutes and led the Zips in scoring with 15 points.
The junior, who transferred from Kent State last year, tied the game at the end of regulation by making two free throws with 44.3 seconds to go.
"It's a thrill anytime to play Youngstown," Krezeczowski said. "I think I could have played better but I was glad I was able to take a leadership role in the game."
Hanek and Tara Fleming had given YSU a late two-point lead by hitting key free throws after the Penguins had trailed for most of the game.
First overtime
In the first overtime, YSU held the lead several times but another local native brought the Zips back.
Canfield's Kristy Booms came off the bench and scored all four of her points in the first overtime session. Her bucket with 40 seconds left forced the game to a second overtime.
"Kristy showed all the poise of a senior tonight," said Akron coach Kelly Kennedy. "She's our only senior and she really played a role in winning this game."
Hill said she was not pleased with the outcome but she did praise the Zips (3-5).
"Quite honestly I think the better team won tonight," Hill said. "They executed their game plan well and showed that if you come out with the intensity and the heart and the fire that good things happen."