Defense fails YSU in 82-66 loss to CSU

The Penguins’ setback in the Horizon League overshadowed Velissa Vaughn’s career-high 28 points.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State’s women’s basketball team went into Saturday’s Horizon League contest with Cleveland State looking to gain ground in the league standings.

Instead, the Penguins dug themselves a hole, allowing the Vikings to run away with an 82-66 victory before a sparse crowd at Beeghly Center.

The 82 points were the second-most the Penguins allowed at home this season, second only to the 94 points Wisconsin-Milwaukee scored in a double overtime game back Feb. 9.

“It was disappointing to come out and play the way we did today,” said YSU (12-13, 7-7 Horizon) coach Tisha Hill, “especially after coming off two outstanding road games. We just didn’t play very well defensively.”

The loss overshadowed a career-high effort from junior Velissa Vaughn, who scored 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range.

“Velissa has been doing that all week in practice, but unfortunately nobody else stepped up today to help her out,” said Hill. “We’ve had games recently with three and even four players in double figures, but today when we needed it we didn’t get it.

“I told them after the game how disappointed I was in their play, but I also told them that there is still a lot of basketball left to play and that we have to shake off today’s effort and get ready for what’s ahead of us,” Hill said.

The Vikings (15-10, 9-5) came into the contest a game ahead of the Penguins in the standings and tied with Wright State for third place.

The Penguins played well during the first six minutes of the game, and sparked by Vaughn’s two baskets, including a 3-pointer, led 16-11 with 14:12 remaining in the half.

But YSU went nearly six minutes without a basket as the Vikings ran off 12 straight unanswered points, and with a 15-1 run pulled ahead 26-17 with nine minutes remaining.

Vaughn ended the dry spell with a 3-pointer and had four more points as the Penguins came back to within two points, 30-28, with 5:09 left in the half. But Cleveland State took command again, going on a 17-5 run to end the half comfortably ahead, 47-33.

YSU cut the lead to 56-44 on two baskets by Vaughn and a 3-pointer by Lauren Branson, but Cleveland State went on an 11-2 run and Dominique Butler’s steal and basket gave the Vikings a 67-46 lead.

The Vikings’ advantage reached as many as 24 points (78-54) with 4:03 remaining.

Butler and sophomore Kailey Klein and Butler were the two thorns in the Penguins’ side all game, as they finished with 25 and 24 points, respectively.

YSU shot 42 percent (25-of-60) for the game, while the Vikings were 28-of-52 (54 percent). The Penguins held a 33-31 rebounding edge, but were outscored in the paint (32-24), off turnovers (25-12), second-chance points (16-13) and on fast breaks (6-4).

The Penguins have two more home games — Thursday night against Butler at 7:05 and Saturday against Valparaiso at 4:35 p.m.. Their final two games are on the road at Loyola (March 6) and Illinois-Chicago (March 8).

mollica@vindy.com