Sunday, December 18, 2005
Youngstown, which will be at home on Wednesday, improved to 2-6.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State men's basketball coach Jerry Slocum isn't coming out and saying that his basketball team is right where he wants them to be, but he is saying they are getting closer.
Saturday afternoon the Penguins played outstanding defense, took care of the basketball and shot and rebounded well in posting a 72-51 victory over a struggling Duquesne University team before 3,046 fans at Beeghly Center.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Penguins, who improved to 2-6. Duquesne lost for the third straight time and fell to 1-6.
Shooting not sharp
The big thing was that the Penguins had another long dry spell from the field during the second half, but played through it against the Dukes.
"We did a tremendous job defensively," said Slocum. "We rebounded well and we took care of the basketball during our dry spell and that was the difference.
"I'm so proud of these kids to come out after a week of final exams and to play with the passion and excitement they did today," he added. "That was as well as we have played defense for an entire 40 minutes this year."
The Penguins, who shot 58 percent in the first half and 48 percent for the game, were led by junior Keston Roberts with 24 points, while junior Quin Humphrey continued his streak as he finished with 20 points and picked up his fourth double-double of the year with 11 rebounds. Humphrey has been in double figures every game this season. Sophomore John Barber added 13 points off the bench.
The Penguins put the game away at the free throw line where they connected on 19-of-26, compared to just 5-of-6 by the Dukes.
First 20 minutes
YSU dominated the Dukes in the first 20 minutes jumping out to an 11-2 lead. The Penguins missed their first three shots, but then made 10 of their next 13 and grabbed a 21-8 lead.
Humphrey and Roberts were both in double figures in the first half with 11 and 10 points respectively as YSU made 17 of its first 29 attempts from the field and took a 40-23 lead at intermission.
The Penguins were cruising along 50-36 following a Roberts field goal with 13:04 left in the game, but then came the dry spell.
YSU would not score another field goal until the 4:29 mark of the contest, but during that spell the Penguins actually added to their lead thanks to their accuracy at the foul line.
YSU connected on 12-of-15 free throws through that spell and committed just two turnovers while increasing its lead to 62-42.
"That was the big difference," said Slocum. "We played through that spell by taking care of the basketball and by playing good defense, something we weren't doing before."
The Penguins pulled to their biggest lead 69-46 with 2:15 remaining.
Work in progress
"We're getting there," Slocum said. "I was so proud of the way they hung together today."
The Penguins will be at home again on Wednesday when they entertain James Madison in a 7:35 tip-off at Beeghly Center right after the YSU women play host to Coppin State at 5:15.
mollica@vindy.com