YSU escapes with an ugly win

The Penguins weren't pretty on offense, but they held on to beat Toledo.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team shot 32 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers. Its two leading scorers were a combined 9-for-34.
That was the bad news.
The good news? The Penguins won.
Jen Perugini recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds -- despite a 5-for-17 shooting performance -- and Cathy Hanek added 11 points, leading Youngstown State to a 53-42 victory over Toledo on Thursday night at Beeghly Center.
"It sure wasn't pretty," said Youngstown State coach Tisha Hill. "But right now we're at a point where we need wins."
Holding down the Rockets
Defense was the Penguins' forte against their third consecutive Mid-American Conference opponent. Toledo (1-4) was just 14-of-60 from the field (23.3 percent), committed 17 turnovers and was out-rebounded 48-35.
"We understand that even when our shots aren't falling," Hill said, "it's still important to play defense. When we get stops it keeps them from getting momentum."
Karin Hoogendam, the Rockets' leading scorer this season, was averaging 13.3 points per game. She scored two Thursday.
Youngstown State took control of the lead late in the first half. The Penguins trailed 22-20 with just under four minutes remaining before a 3-pointer by Perugini at the 1:51 mark gave them a 23-22 lead.
Lauren Branson sank a pair of free throws, then Perugini made another shot with 48 seconds to go that made it 27-22 at halftime.
The Rockets were within one point, 29-28, about two minutes into the second half before Youngstown State went on an 11-0 run. Hanek sank three 3-pointers in the rally.Toledo got within four points, 40-36, with 7:07 remaining, but six free throws by Michelle Holmes and a basket and two foul shots by Perugini pushed the Penguins out to a 50-40 advantage with 1:54 to go.
Perugini began the game averaging 18.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game.
"Jen just gives it her all," Hill said. "She pushes and pushes; she's going to go hard at it. Some of her teammates are figuring it out and jumping on her bandwagon."
Branson had six assists and Barb Fabianova had nine points and five assists. Tara Fleming had seven rebounds.
"Branson's working hard at the point," Hill said. "She's making really smart decisions."
Youngstown State (3-3) returns to Beeghly Center on Sunday at 2 p.m. against Akron. Hill said fatigue will be a factor.
"It plays in a lot," she said. "We have to be smart at practice, shoot a lot of free throws and make sure the people who are in there a lot of minutes are pacing themselves.
"We have to stay focused, mentally focused."