Turnovers doom YSU in 71-59 loss

The Penguins also failed on the offensive rebounds against Canisius.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State men's basketball coach Jerry Slocum was disgusted with his team's effort Tuesday night in a home contest at Beeghly Center.
The Penguins played poorly, committed 24 turnovers and gave up 20 offensive rebounds in dropping a 71-59 decision to Canisius.
"This was as bad a performance as any team I've had and I'm very disappointed," said Slocum. "When you play 10 of your first 13 games on the road you have to take care of the home games and we didn't do that tonight."
"Any time you commit 24 turnovers and give up 20 offensive rebounds you are not going to win many games," he added. "But I know these kids and we'll be back at it again tomorrow."
The Penguins (2-5) actually shot well from the field, hitting 47.9 percent of their shots. Leading the way was senior Quin Humphrey who led all scorers with 27 points on 8-of 18 shooting from the field, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range, and 4-for-4 at the free throw line. He added seven rebounds, but also had a team-high seven turnovers.
"We just didn't come out ready to play tonight," said Humphrey. "The intensity wasn't there and we had way too many turnovers and got beat bad on the boards. We have a lot of work to do and we're going to start tomorrow to correct things."
Senior Keston Roberts was the only other Penguin in double figures with 12 points.
Poor foul shooting
Outside of Humphrey and Roberts the Penguins didn't shoot well at the foul line, making 7-of-17 and those two made six of them. The rest of the team was 1-for-11.
YSU was outrebounded 40-32.
Canisius (2-3) was led by Chuck Harris with 16 points and Ola Matti added 11.
The Penguins started flat and couldn't find the basket, falling behind 8-0 before Byron Davis connected with 16:45 remaining on a 3-point shot.
Canisius led 12-3 before the Penguins scored more than one basket and then hit on back-to-back shots by Roberts and Humphrey to close to 12-8, but they never got closer the rest of the game.
The Golden Griffins' domination of the offensive boards, along with the Penguins' turnovers enabled Canisius to take a 44-29 halftime advantage.
Penguins bounce back
Humphrey opened the second half with two straight baskets and the Penguins managed to get back to within 10 points 49-39 on a pair of free throws by Roberts.
After Canisius rebuild the lead to 54-41, Humphrey hit on back-to-back 3-point goals to pull the Penguins to within seven points 54-47, but the Grifs never let them get any closer.
"We still have a long way to go," Slocum said.
The Penguins will open Horizon League play Saturday at Illinois-Chicago in a 3 p.m. contest and then will return home to play Lock Haven in a special 11 a.m. tip-off Dec. 5 that will be played in conjunction with the Youngstown City Schools, who will be guests of the Penguins.
After Lock Haven the Penguins will play four straight road games beginning with a league game at UW-Milwaukee on Dec. 10.
mollica@vindy.com