Scott, Karner lead YSU past Detroit

The Penguins snapped a three-game losing streak with a 62-59 victory.

DETROIT — Tiara Scott scored 22 points and Heather Karner added 12 points and eight rebounds, leading the Youngstown State women’s basketball team to a 62-59 victory over Detroit Thursday.

Scott, who also had eight rebounds, was 8-of-13 from the field and 6-for-8 at the foul line. Her shooting was easily the best for the Penguins, who shot just 39 percent (19-of-49) — which dipped to 31 percent (11-of-36) without Scott.

Youngstown State (11-12, 6-6 Horizon League) snapped a three-game losing streak, outscoring the Titans 4-0 in the final 58 seconds after Detroit’s Zemora Davis gave her team a 59-58 lead with a basket.

Velissa Vaughn’s basket gave the Penguins the lead for good, 60-59, with 38 seconds remaining. After a Detroit time-out, Chanica Hall of the Titans missed a shot and Karner rebounded.

Karner was immediately fouled by Heather Hatter and made both free throws to make it 62-59 with 13 seconds remaining.

Detroit’s Kealy McNally missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Jessica Schloemp had seven rebounds for the Penguins, who were 21-of-26 at the foul line but committed 18 turnovers. Karner also had four assists.

Hall led the Titans (3-19, 0-11 Horizon) with 13 points, while Hatter added 12 points and eight rebounds. Hall and Gabi Hungerford each had six assists.

Detroit scored the first five points of the game, but that was the largest lead either team enjoyed until a Karner 3-pointer gave the Penguins a 27-19 lead with 4:07 remaining before halftime.

The Titans then went on a 9-2 run, closing to 29-28 on Hatter’s layup, before YSU’s Ashley Pendleton answered with three seconds to go, giving the Penguins a 31-28 halftime lead.

The first half featured seven ties and three lead changes.

The Penguins maintained a slim lead through the first 6 1/2 minutes of the second half, but Sandi Brown’s layup for Detroit tied the score at 39 with 13:36 remaining. Neither team led by four the remainder of the game and there were five more ties, the last at 57 with 2:03 to go.

Youngstown State visits Wright State (10-12, 7-4) Saturday at 1 p.m. The Raiders defeated Cleveland State 51-43 Thursday night.