YSU women gain respect

By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team proved Saturday it can play with any squad in the Horizon League, taking first-place UW-Green Bay into overtime before falling 69-64 at Beeghly Center.
YSU (4-21, 2-12 HL) may be in last place in the league standings, but the Phoenix (19-6, 12-2) needed a frantic final flurry to turn back the resurgent Penguins.
Green Bay, which has won 13 of its last 14 games, took a 10-point lead three times in the second half, the last, 50-40, with eight minutes remaining, and seemed poised to put the game away.
Battling back
The Penguins refused to fold, and a 17-7 run tied the score at 57-all at the end of regulation.
"For us to have that heart to continue to go after it and get them back on their heels for a change, that was a good feeling for all of us," said YSU coach Tisha Hill.
In the rush to force the extra session, Jen Perugini scored four of her season-high 23 points and freshman Ashlee Russo scored six of her 10 points.
"I think going out there strong is a great feeling," said Perugini, who added a game-high 11 rebounds.
"We know when we start out good, we're going to play great defense throughout."
Hill recognized the strong inside game of Perugini.
"For her to execute well down low was huge for us today," said Hill.
Russo contributes
With 1:56 remaining in regulation, Russo made two free throws to give the Penguins a 55-54 lead. Her next two successful foul shots, with 24 seconds remaining, forged a 57-all tie.
Despite playing 31 minutes (fellow point guard Kristy Gaudiose is out with a sore back), Russo seemed confident at the foul line with all the pressure on her.
"I was thinking they were going in. I never think I'm going to miss this shot," she said.
Russo added four assists.
Hill noted Russo (ankle) and Gaudiose have been limited by injuries, saying they have been "rotating injuries."
Hill said, "Russo did a tremendous job bringing it up and having poise."
Combined, Perugini and Russo shot 11-for-21, but as a team YSU made 41 percent from the field.
"I'm really pleased with both of these young ladies," Hill said of Perugini and Russo. "They brought the team on their backs and [it was] full steam ahead."
Extra session
YSU's Barb Fabianova opened the overtime with her third 3-pointer, giving the Penguins their largest lead, 60-57. She finished with 11 points.
Although the Phoenix surged ahead, the Penguins mounted a final charge.
Consecutive baskets by Perugini, the second a jump hook with 1:36 to go, put YSU back on top, 64-61.
UW-Green Bay closed the game on an 8-0 run, led by Abby Scharlow. She scored seven of her 27 points in overtime.
"We did a great job defensively taking away some of their looks," said Hill.
Other than Scharlow, the Phoenix were held to 14 baskets in 45 minutes of play.
"We've played close games every game and that's not good enough for us any more." said Russo. "Now it's a matter of not just hanging close, but we want to finish the game."
sullivan@vindy.com