Perry’s career night propels YSU

Staff report

birmingham, ala.

The Youngstown State men’s basketball team won its first road game in nearly two years, taking control in the second half of Saturday’s game against Samford en route to a 76-69 win in the season opener for both teams at the Pete Hanna Center.

The Bulldogs led 32-29 at the half before Youngstown State (1-0) rallied late to capitalize on a career-high 28-point performance from sophomore Kendrick Perry.

It was the first road win for the Penguins since Dec. 16, 2009 — a span of 23 games.

For the second straight season, Samford (0-1) lost its opener to Youngstown State. Last year, the Penguins defeated the Bulldogs 64-61.

Youngstown State finished the season-opening contest with four players in double figures. Perry exploded for a career-high 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field, while Damian Eargle (Warren Harding) followed with 17 and Blake Allen and Ashen Ward scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Perry, a sophomore guard from Ocoee, Fla., played 38 minutes and knocked down 4-of-7 3-point attempts, 6-of-8 free throws and pulled down three rebounds. He also finished the game with team-highs in assists (4) and steals (4).

Samford was led in scoring Saturday by true freshman Raijon Kelly with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, including a team-high four 3-point baskets. Kelly also tallied a game-high five assists and added three rebounds in 28 minutes of game action.

Samford out-rebounded YSU 37-34, but the Penguins tallied two more offensive boards than the Bulldogs. YSU also had 15 second-chance points, compared to 11 for Samford. The Bulldogs finished with 29 points off the bench, while the Penguins’ Josh Chojnacki knocked down a turnaround jumper for their only reserve scoring of the night.

YSU will play two home games next week, beginning Tuesday against Notre Dame College.