YSU loses in Akron

The Penguins pulled within 10 points, then had
turnovers and missed shots.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

AKRON — Things aren’t getting any better for the Youngstown State men’s basketball team.

If anything, it might be getting worse.

Friday night, the Penguins (3-7) ran into the same problem they’ve been having all season long and they lost for the fifth straight time, suffering a 79-59 defeat to Akron at Rhodes Arena.

The Penguins put themselves into another deep hole early in the game. They tried to battle back in the second half, getting to within 10 points. Then the game turned into a free throw shooting contest and the Zips more than got the best of the deal.

There were 76 free throws shot in the contest, 43 of them by the Zips who made 35. The Penguins were 22 of 33.

YSU had cut the lead to 10 points 50-40 with 12:23 remaining in the contest, but over those final 12 minutes the Penguins made just four baskets and the Zips made three.

Akron was 20-of-22 from the foul line over that same span, while the Penguins made just 9-of-17.

The Penguins were outrebounded 33-30 and had 20 turnovers to the Zips 19. Akron also was 8 of 15 from the 3-point line, while the Penguins made just 3-of-7.

Junior Jack Liles led the YSU attack with 16 points, while Byron Davis added 14 and John Barber hit for 12. Liles also had nine rebounds.

“It’s the same thing again,” YSU head coach Jerry Slocum said. “We come out and play without any passion and fall into a big hole and then the second half we come out and play with some passion, but it’s too little too late.”

“We had our opportunity, when we cut the lead to 10 points, but we came right back with turnovers and missed shots and then they hurt us at the foul line,” Slocum said. “It’s tough to defend against foul shots.”

Akron, which has now won five straight, improved to 9-2 on the season. The Zips were led by Cedrick Middleton with 16 points, while Nate Linhart added 14 points.

The Penguins had their usual shooting game in the first half making just 8-of-27 from the field and turning the ball over 14 times while falling behind 12-4 in the first six minutes of the game.

The Penguins scored only 11 points over the first 15 minutes and were 4-for-19 from the field with just under five minutes to play.

YSU made its only run of the half in the final three minutes going on a 7-0 spurt with Jack Liles scoring on a three-point play and pulled the Penguins back to within 20 points 41-21.

Akron’s biggest lead of the first half was 28 points, 39-11. The Zips led 46-36 at intermission.

The Penguins will return home for their next contest on Dec. 29 when they play host to Slippery Rock in a 2:05 tip off at Beeghly Center.

mollica@vindy.com