YSU loses lead, not game: Penguins rally for victory

The win over Wright State snapped a two-game losing streak for Youngstown State.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State women’s basketball team shook off a late dry spell and came up with some clutch free throw shooting down the stretch to pull out a 61-58 victory over Wright State Thursday in a Horizon League contest at Beeghly Center.

The Penguins (8-8, 3-2) snapped a two-game losing streak, but had to struggle to get the victory.

After leading by 12 points in the first half, the Penguins watched their lead wash away. When Wright State opened the second half on a 14-2 run, YSU found itself trailing 37-30 with five minutes gone in the second half.

“We knew it was going to be a battle,” YSU head coach Tisha Hill said. “Wright State is a good team, but we just sucked it up at the end and held on to win. Any win is a good win in the conference.”

The Penguins battled back. Sparked by a 15-2 run over a span of four minutes, they went back on top 56-46 with 5:07 remaining.

But the Raiders fought back and the Penguins went cold at the same time. For more than four minutes, YSU didn’t score and Wright State was back in the game 56-53 with 1:25 to play.

The Penguins went to the foul line eight times in the final minute, making six to keep the Raiders from getting ahead.

“These kids continue to work hard every day at practice,” Hill said. “They’re tired and we’re banged up, but they just keep coming back for more.”

The Penguins had four players in double figures led by senior Heather Karner with 16 points. Junior Velissa Vaughn added 14, senior Jessica Schloemp 13 and junior Tiara Scott 10.

The Penguins finished 22 of 25 from the field for 40 percent and were 7-of-19 from 3-point range, but were outreounded 39-38. Karner also had nine rebounds, while senior Lauren Branson had eight assists.

Wright State (5-10, 2-2) had only one player in double figures, Sheylani Peddy with 20 points.

The Penguins opened the game on a hot streak, hitting 9 of their first 18 shots from the field and building a 21-9 advantage over the Raiders.

Karner had eight points in that span including a pair of 3-point shots, while the Raiders were having trouble finding the hoop, hitting just 4 of 15 shots.

But over the next 10 minutes, the Penguins scored just seven more points. They made just one of 11 shots from the field over the final five minutes and allowed Wright State, which went on an 8-0 run in that span, to close the gap to 28-23 at halftime.

YSU finished the half 11 of 30 for 36.7 percent, while the Raiders were 10 of 34 for 29.4 percent. Both teams scored well in the paint with the Raiders holding a 14-12 advantage. The Penguins outscored the Raiders 13-8 on second chance points and 12-2 on bench points.

The Penguins will be at home again on Saturday when they take on Detroit in a 4:35 p.m. tip-off. It will be part of a doubleheader as the YSU men will host Butler in the nightcap at 7:05.

mollica@vindy.com