2-0 and thankful

YOUNGSTOWN -- Brian Radakovich scored a career-high 22 points to lead Youngstown State to its second consecutive victory, 78-60 over Slippery Rock before 2,012 at Beeghly Center Tuesday night.
Radakovich scored 17 points in the second half as the Penguins bolted from a five-point lead at the intermission (37-32) to improve to 2-0 for the first time in four seasons.
Youngstown State's Quin Humphrey also reached a career high with 21 points. He made three 3-pointers and also had seven rebounds. John Barber, a redshirt freshman, tossed in 14 points, also a career-high, and had five rebounds. Jon Mends had 12 assists, a career high.
For Slippery Rock, Glenn Reepmeyer led all scorers with 25 points and he also pulled down 14 rebounds. Jason Bratten added 15 points and Mason Glick scored 10 for the Rockets (0-2).
Strong starts
"I thought we started both halves pretty well," said Youngstown State coach John Robic. "There was a lull at the end of the first half, which we [also] had against Lock Haven."
Slippery Rock scored the first basket of the game, but the Penguins answered with a 12-0 run to take a lead they would not relinquish.
Youngstown State's lead in the first half grew to as many as 14 points (27-13) but the Rockets regrouped and trailed only 37-32 at the intermission.
"We have to put a true 40 minutes together," said Robic. "But, we did improve from our last game. We're 2-0 going into Thanksgiving, so I'm going to have a very good Thanksgiving."
The Penguins finished 30-of-60 from the field, a statistic that pleased the coach.
"I like the number of shots that we took, the number of 3s," said Robic. Youngstown State was 9-for-18 from 3-point range.
"We just didn't finish [plays] enough at the basket, and we got out-rebounded, which is a concern."
Slippery Rock held a 38-34 edge in rebounds.
"Barber played terrific in the first half, and Brian and Quinn got after it in the second half," said Robic.
Youngstown State opened the second half with an 11-4 run and later had another 14-point lead, 53-39, but the Rockets rallied again, closing to 53-48.
Deciding run
The Penguins then made the definitive run of the game, 15-2, to give them a 70-50 lead. Slippery Rock was able to close to within 12 points late in the game before Youngstown State scored the final six points.
"We're going to have to work on our defense," said Robic. "We didn't guard the ball very well in the half court."
Also, YSU opened the game in full-court press but Robic pulled it back after a few minutes.
"I didn't think we were reacting well enough with the press," he said, "so I backed it off a bit and then we got some turnovers."
Youngstown State will play host to Boston University Saturday at 1 p.m.