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Penguins dominate Cleveland in 64-60 win
Gallery
The YSU men led the entire contest in front of more than 6,000 fans and a ESPNU television audience.
By Pete Mollica
YOUNGSTOWN — Before a crowd of 6,249 and an ESPNU national television audience, the Youngstown State men’s basketball team put on a show Friday night at Beeghly Center.
The fourth-largest crowd in YSU history watched as the Penguins led from start to finish and posted a 64-60 victory over Cleveland State in a Horizon League contest.
YSU (6-12, 3-6) didn’t have the game clinched until the final two seconds when senior Jack Liles made two free throws to ensure the victory.
The Penguins put four players in double figures, led by Liles with 18 points. Junior DeAndre Mays added 16, junior Sirlester Martin had 15 and junior Kelvin Bright added 10.
The Penguins had several opportunities to blow open the contest, but had a poor night at the foul line, making just 15 of 26 attempts including four of eight in the final 45 seconds.
But that was about the only thing the Penguins didn’t do well. They shot 45.3 percent from the field and played exceptionally well defensively against the Vikings (13-8, 4-5)
“What a tremendous night for YSU basketball,” YSU head coach Jerry Slocum said. “You have to give Rick Love and our promotional department so much credit for getting all these people to the game. And to have them here for ESPN made it that much better.”
Slocum lauded the play of Martin, Mays and Liles.
“They stepped up when we needed them and really played an outstanding game tonight,” Slocum said. “We played hard for a full 40 minutes and we played very well defensively.”
The Penguins led by four at halftime 29-25 and led by as many eight in the second half 54-46 with 6:50 remaining.
The Vikings battled back to get to within three points 60-57 in the final minute. When the Penguins couldn’t convert their foul shots, the Vikings were within two points 61-59 before Mays made on free throw.
The Vikings, down by three with 4.0 seconds, tried to intentionally miss a second free throw by Norris Cole, but he stepped over the line doing it and the Penguins got the ball.
Liles was fouled with 1.9 seconds remaining and he made both to sew up the victory.
The Penguins never trailed in the first half and their defense was a big reason.
YSU kept the Vikings from getting many open looks at the basket and the results were that Cleveland State missed its first nine shots from the field.
Martin and Liles each scored four points apiece to put the Penguins up 8-4 early and they extended that to 14-7 on Martin’s fourth basket of the half.
He had 10 points and five rebounds in the half while Liles added eight points and six rebounds.
YSU took its biggest lead of the half 18-9 with 6:34 remaining before the Vikings started to get back in the game.
Cleveland State went on a 10-3 run to cut YSU’s lead to two points 21-19 and then eventually tied the game 23-23 on a basket by Cedric Jackson with 2:40 remaining.
The Penguins finished with a 6-2 run to take a 29-25 lead at intermission.
Neither team shot well in the half as the Penguins made just 12-of-32 for 37.5 percent and Cleveland was 10 of 30 for 33.3 percent.
The Penguins held a 29-25 edge in rebounding.
The Penguins will remain at home for the next three games beginning Monday with a non-conference game against Akron at 7:05 p.m. at Beeghly Center.
mollica@vindy.com