Slow start, fine finish at Beeghly

YSU snapped its six-game losing streak, beating Detroit 55-48.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — It certainly wasn’t a work of art, but the Youngstown State men’s basketball team found a way to end its six-game losing streak.

In a hard-fought battle with the worst team in the Horizon League, the Penguins came out on top 55-48 before 2,332 fans Thursday at Beeghly Center.

The Penguins (8-15, 4-9) hadn’t won a game since the last time the two teams met in Detroit and the Penguins recorded their first sweep of the year.

YSU never led in the contest until about 10 minutes left in the game, but then took control and never trailed the rest of the way.

“We’re still trying to find our heart out there,” YSU head coach Jerry Slocum said. “I thought we battled hard after the first 10 minutes and we showed a lot of character with the way we played over the final 10 minutes.”

Slocum also had high praise for reserve players George Cotal and Mel Johnson. The two only scored six points between them, but were a force on defense.

“Those two really made a difference out there,” Slocum said. “They played hard and helped us to get this win.”

Senior Byron Davis led the Penguins with 13 points, while senior John Barber was also in double figures with 10 points.

Detroit (5-17, 1-11) was led by Jon Goode with a game-high 26 points.

The Penguins didn’t take the lead until 10:25 left in the game when freshman Vance Cooksey made two free throws for a 36-35 lead, but then scored five more and pulled to a 41-37 advantage and never looked back.

Junior Jack Likes and Davis had some big baskets over the final five minutes as the Penguins locked up the win.

Neither team shot well for the game, especially the Titans who made just 16 of 56 shots for 23 percent, while YSU was 17 of 44 for 38.6 percent. The Penguins had 18 turnovers to 13 for the Titans and YSU made just 17 of 28 free throws.

The Penguins opened the contest with one of their ice-cold shooting experiences, going 1 of 7 from the field and also committing four early turnovers as Detroit opened up a 7-2 lead.

YSU went more than six minutes before scoring its second basket that cut into the Titans early 15-4 margin.

Vytus Sulskis connected on a 3-point goal with 10:52 left in the half as the Penguins pulled to with 15-9.

The Titans quickly rebuilt the lead with a 5-0 run, all by Woody Payne, as the lead was back to 11 points 20-9 with 10:02 left in the half.

But then the Penguins caught fire. They went on a 7-0 run to close the gap to 20-16, four of those points came from Sulskis. The Penguins still trailed by four at intermission 28-24.

Both teams shot poorly in the first half as the Penguins were 8-of-24 for 33 percent and the Titans were 10 of 31 for 32 percent.

Detroit held a slim 22-20 edge in rebounds while the Penguins finished the half with 11 turnovers, to the Titans’ seven.

YSU will continue at home on Saturday when they play host to Wright State in a 7:05 p.m. tipoff at Beeghly Center.

mollica@vindy.com