YSU ties 3-point record in loss to Buffalo

Staff report

Buffalo, N.Y.

The Youngstown State men’s basketball team tied the school record for most 3-pointers in a game for the third time this season, but dropped an 80-72 decision to Buffalo (6-2) on Saturday evening at Alumni Arena.

The Penguins, who made 14 3-pointers, were led by sophomore Kendrick Perry’s 18 points and 10 assists and 17 points from both senior Ashen Ward and junior Blake Allen.

Perry connected on 7-of-18 shooting from the floor, including three 3-pointers. Allen made five 3-pointers, Ward made three, Nate Perry h.ad two and DuShawn Brooks added one for YSU (6-3).

Although the Penguins shot 40 percent from behind the arc (14-for-35), they had no answer for the inside presence of Buffalo’s Javon McCrea and Mitchell Watt, who scored 29 and 20 points, respectively.

McCrea, who connected on 14-of-17 from the field, also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Penguins trailed by just one, 62-61, after a layup by Perry at the 8:38 mark and by six, 67-61, after a 3-pointer by Buffalo’s Tony Watson and two free throws from Watt with 7:43 left.

The Penguins made four consecutive defensive stops but failed to capitalize on offense, missing two jumpers and committing two turnovers.

An offensive rebound and layup by McCrea extended the Bulls’ lead to eight, 69-61, with 5:10 remaining.

Ward hit three late 3-pointers to get the Penguins, who trailed by as many as 10, 74-64, within six, 78-72, with 12 seconds left but Buffalo made two free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

The first half featured six lead changes and three ties, but the Penguins led through most of the first half.

The Penguins used a 13-5 run to build a 26-18 lead midway through the first half after the Bulls knotted the game, 13-13.

A 3-pointer from Allen and two from sophomore Nate Perry spark the Penguins first-half spurt.

Buffalo, though, outscored the Penguins 12-4 to take a 30-29 lead at the 6:17 mark after a dunk by McCrea.