YSU falls short again

A 9-for-20 performance at the foul line was the difference in a loss to UIC.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Over the past month the Youngstown State men's basketball team has learned how to get into position to win games.
Now all they have to do is learn how to finish.
Thursday night, the Penguins were again within striking distance at the end, but dropped a 62-58 decision to the Illinois-Chicago Flames at Beeghly Center.
Poor foul shooting spelled defeat for Youngstown State (7-15, 3-9 Horizon League), which connected on just 9-of-20 at the foul line.
The loss also hampered the Penguins' bid to earn the No. 6 seed for the league tournament and the chance to play host to a first-round game.
Full 40
"Tonight it was free throws that cost us, but I'm still proud of they way my kids played," said coach John Robic. "We played a full 40 minutes tonight and our play at the start of the second half was the best we've had all season.
"We've done nothing but work on end-of-the-game strategy the past week in practice and I was proud of the way freshman Mike Woodard took the ball and went right to the basket near the end. I've been trying to get him to do that for a long time," added Robic.
Junior Doug Underwood led the Penguins with 14 points, and considering he didn't enter the game until 14:58 remained in the second half, it was quite an accomplishment.
"Doug was being disciplined and he knew and accepted his punishment," Robic said. "I thought he did a tremendous job the time he was in the game and he was a reason we had a chance to win."
Underwood made 4-of-6 field goals, all from 3-point range, and 2-of-3 free throws.
Senior TeJay Anderson added 13 points, also off the bench, and contributed four assists.
UIC (17-7, 8-4) was led by senior Cedrick Banks with 23 points.
The Penguins trailed the entire first half, falling behind 11-2 right off the bat. They trailed 25-18 at halftime.
Insertion affects lead
YSU scored the first six points of the second half to close to within 25-24. YSU trailed 34-30 when Underwood came into the game and he quickly made a 3-point shot and then was fouled while attempting another and made two of three free throws to give YSU its first lead of the game, 35-34, with 13:39 remaining.
The Penguins led again 38-36 on Underwood's second 3-pointer, but then fell behind when UIC reeled off six straight points for a 42-38 advantage.
The Flames kept control of the contest, leading by as many as nine points, the last time 58-49 with 1:12 remaining.
Underwood hit his fourth 3-point goal with 47.5 seconds remaining as YSU closed to 58-52. The Penguins got the margin down to three points, 59-56, on Anderson's basket with 16 seconds to go.
After Banks made one of two free throws with 15 seconds remaining, Woodard drove the court to score with nine seconds remaining to make it 60-58.
Banks drained two free throws with 5.1 seconds left that iced the win for the Flames.
YSU plays host to Horizon League leader UW-Milwaukee Saturday at 2 p.m. Former YSU coach Dom Rosselli will be honored at halftime and then at a reception following the contest.
mollica@vindy.com