Penguins routed in Horizon opener

Youngstown State shot poorly again in the 78-55 defeat.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team's two-game winning streak came to a screeching halt on Thursday.
The Penguins (4-8) suffered a 78-55 loss to Butler (5-5) University in the Horizon League opener for both teams.
The Penguins, who haven't shot well even in their last two victories, continued to have problems from the field against the Bulldogs, making just 22 of 66 shots from the field (31.8 percent) and were just 1 of 14 (7.1 percent) from 3-point range.
YSU managed to put just one player in double figures as senior guard Ashlee Russo led the Penguins with 15 points and six rebounds. Freshman Ashley Pendleton led the YSU rebounders with eight although Butler held the edge overall 43-36.
Hot-shooting Bulldogs
The Bulldogs shot the lights out at Hinkle Fieldhouse in the first half, making 63 percent of their shots (17-27). They were 6 of 9 from behind the arc over that stretch. For the game, Butler shot 48.1 percent from the field and was 8-15 from 3-point range.
Lade Akande and Jackie Closser each had 17 points for the Bulldogs, while Ellen Hamilton added 13. Those three players combined for 17 of 26 shooting from the field. Butler also was 20 of 25 from the foul line.
After junior guard Kristy Gaudiose scored the game's opening basket for a 2-0 YSU lead, the Bulldogs quickly pulled ahead and were never challenged.
The Penguins stayed close at 9-8 with 15:19 remaining in the half, but the Bulldogs went on a 9-2 run and took control 18-12.
Butler held a 46-22 halftime advantage.
Slow second half start
The Penguins scored just three points in the first six minutes of the second half and the Bulldogs increased their lead to 57-27 with 14:32 left in the game.
The Bulldogs had their largest lead of the contest with 11 minutes remaining as Akande made a basket to put Butler ahead 64-30.
The Penguins had a late 8-0 run to cut the Bulldogs lead down to 19 points 72-53 with 1:38 remaining, but could get no closer.
The Penguins, who are now 2-6 on the road, will continue on the road Saturday for a Horizon League contest at Wright State. The contest will tip off at 1:05 p.m. The Penguins will then return for a four-game homestand beginning Jan. 7 against Detroit in a 2:05 tip-off at Beeghly Center.