YSU BASKETBALL Freshman can't miss as Penguins falter

Bowling Green shot 52 percent from the floor in a 83-61 victory.
BOWLING GREEN -- Kate Achter made quite a first impression on Youngstown State.
The Bowling Green freshman came off the bench to make all eight of her shots from the field, and she went 8-for-9 at the foul line, to lead the Falcons to an 83-61 victory over the Penguins Tuesday night.
Achter led a Bowling Green performance that included 52.5 percent shooting from the field (32-of-61) and a 38-35 edge in rebounds. The Falcons (2-2) committed just 11 turnovers, while Youngstown State committed 18.
Barb Fabianova led the Penguins (2-3) with 14 points and four assists, while Jen Perugini added 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Cathy Hanek had 12 points and eight rebounds, and Lauren Branson had four assists.
Poor shooting
Youngstown State, though, did not shoot well. The Penguins were just 20-of-59 from the field (33.9 percent), including 10-of-26 on 3-pointers.
The Penguins did lead by as many as six points (12-6) early in the game. Branson opened the contest with a 3-pointers and Perugini sank two long shots to make it a 9-6 score. The Hanek hit a 3 that made it 12-6 with 15:01 remaining in the first half.
The lead changed hands several times and was tied, 22-all, with 9:02 to go on another 3-pointer by Hanek.
From that point, Bowling Green went on a 14-0 run. Achter made two baskets in the rally and Liz Honegger sank a 3-pointer.
By the time Branson ended the streak with a free throw, the Penguins were behind 36-23 with 2:29 remaining in the first half.
Biggest lead in first half
Carin Horne answered with a 3-pointer to give Bowling Green its biggest lead, 16 points (39-23), which was held until Branson's two free throws made it 41-27 at halftime.
Youngstown State went on a 9-4 run to open the second half, and Fabianova's basket with 16:46 to go made it 45-36.
But again, Horne responded with a 3-point basket that started the Falcons on an 11-5 run that gave them a 56-41 lea at the 11:48 mark.
Fabianova's 3-pointer made it a 12-point margin, but that was as close as Youngstown State could get. Bowling Green's lead reached 23 points on several occasions.
Ali Mann, Honegger and Horne all scored 14 points. Honegger also had 15 rebounds.
Youngstown State returns home for the next five games, starting Thursday against Toledo. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.