Arbanas scores 25 points as YSU women win opener
Staff report
Youngsown
Nikki Arbanas’ college debut was one to remember.
The freshman fron Hermitage, Pa., made all five of her 3-point attempts and finished with a game-high 25 points as the Youngstown State women’s basketball team beat Niagara, 83-61, in its season opener Saturday at Beeghly Center.
The 25 points by Arbanas are the most by any Penguins freshman in at least 13 years, and the Hickory High graduate is the first YSU player to go 5-for-5 from 3-point range since Caroline McCombs on March 7, 1996.
YSU exploded for 21 points in the first six minutes and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 31 minutes. The Penguins led 45-27 at halftime, and the lead ballooned to as much as 25 in the second half.
YSU’s other four starters joined Arbanas in double figures. Senior Heidi Schlegel had 18 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Indiya Benjamin added 11 points and six assists without committing a turnover.
Sylvia Maxwell came off the bench to lead Niagara with 16 points.
The Purple Eagles’ only lead of the game came when Kelly Van Leeuwen hit a 3 on their first possession. Benjamin hit a triple a minute later to tie the game, and YSU went on to make five 3-pointers in the first 5:03. Benjamin’s trey ignited an 11-0 run, and the fifth – by Arbanas – capped a 19-3 spurt that put the Penguins up 19-6. Niagara got no closer than nine the rest of the contest.
YSU had assists on its first 10 field goals and finished with 19 assists on 30 buckets. The Penguins were 30 for 59 overall, 9 for 25 from beyond the arc and 14 for 18 from the free-throw line.
Niagara shot 41.3 percent but was just 3-for-12 from 3-point range.
YSU will play at Kent State at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.