Huge deficit costly to YSU women

STAFF REPORT

CLEVELAND — A poor-shooting first half that saw the Youngstown State women’s basketball team score just 10 points sent the Penguins to another lopsided defeat.

The Penguins trailed 35-10 after the first 20 minutes en route to Saturday’s 65-35 loss to Cleveland State. The Penguins’ start was disastrous as they made just four of their first 19 shots and committed 13 turnovers.

YSU (2-21, 0-12 Horizon League) nearly played even with the Vikings in the second half at the Wolstein Center. The Penguins and Vikings both scored 23 points until 3:25 remained. Then the Vikings put four of their five starters back in and finished the half with a 30-25 advantage.

The Penguins have lost 13 straight game and 17 of their last 18. The school record for consecutive defeats is 14, set in the 1993-94 school year.

Cleveland State’s Shawnita Garland scored a game-high 18 points as the only player in double figures. Jessica Roque had nine points while Kailey Klein added eight in 28 minutes.

Youngstown State’s Tiara Scott scored all seven of her points in the first 12 minutes of the second half. Kelsey Gurganus also scored seven.

Monique Godfrey tied her season-high with five points in a season-high 16 minutes.

The Penguins were outshot 50 percent to 26.5 percent and outscored 40-14 in the paint, 20-12 off turnovers and 12-0 in fast break points.

After YSU’s Camisha Alexander made the game’s first bucket, Cleveland State scored eight straight points as the Penguins committed six turnovers in the first five minutes.

Late in the first half, the Vikings scored 10 straight points as part of an overall 22-3 run.

The Penguins return home for two league contests. YSU will entertain Detroit at the Beeghly Center on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.