WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Unable to hold lead, YSU falters to Niagara

The Penguins held a 35-30 halftime lead, but Niagara reeled off a 21-4 run.
STAFF/WIRE REPORT
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team shot 50 percent from the field, but allowed a 21-4 run to Niagara early in the second half and dropped a 73-66 decision Sunday at the Gallagher Center.
Junior Jen Perugini led the Penguins (1-9) with a season-high 18 points, while classmate Jessica Olmstead added 15 points with five assists. Senior Jessica Forsythe collected YSU's first double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Penguins held a 35-30 halftime advantage, but the Purple Eagles (5-3) scored the first five points after intermission to knot the game at 35-35 with 19:22 remaining.
Senior Devin Novak and freshman Kristy Gaudiose each hit jumpers to give the Penguins a 39-37 advantage with 18:13 to go.
Niagara rallies
Niagara outscored the Penguins 21-4 over the next seven minutes and 21 seconds to take a 15-point lead, 58-43, with 10:34 left.
Junior Eva Cunningham, who led the Purple Eagles with 21 points, scored 13 of Niagara's 21 points during that span.
The Purple Eagles extended its lead to as many as 17 points, 62-45, after a free throw by Sarah Heben and a 3-pointer by Ann Mimm at the 8:23 mark.
The Penguins marched back with a 13-3 run of their own to cut the deficit to seven points, 65-58, by making five of the next six field goals, including a 3-pointer by junior Cathy Hanek, who finished with 11 points.
Niagara pushed the lead back to nine, 67-59, but a 3-point play by Olmstead brought the Penguins within six with 1:58 to go. Youngstown State would not get any closer.
Niagara also connected on six straight free throws with under a minute remaining to seal the win.
The Penguins also out-rebounded the Purple Eagles 37-33, but again YSU was hampered by turnovers committing 22 to Niagara's 10.
Youngstown State opens Horizon League action against Cleveland State on Tuesday. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at the CSU Convocation Center.