Balanced scoring lead YSU men to victory

Staff report

YPSILANTI, MICH.

All five starters scored in double figures as the Youngstown State men’s basketball team outlasted Longwood for a 82-72 win on Saturday at the EMU Convocation Center.

Seniors Shawn Amiker and DJ Cole led the Penguins (2-3) with 18 points, while junior Bobby Hain posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Cole also had a double-double and tied a career high with 12 assists.

Sophomore Jalon Plummer tied a career high with 13 points and sophomore Marcus Keene added 11 points.

The Penguins were efficient from the field in both halves, shooting 50 percent (15-of-30) in the first half and 55.6 percent (15-of-27) in the second.

Youngstown State dominated on the boards, outrebounding the Lancers, 39-26.

Longwood (2-2) was led by Lotanna Nwogbo and Shaquille Johnson, who each scored 16 points. Taylor Quincy had 14 points and Kanayo Obi-Rapu added 11.

Longwood cut a seven-point halftime deficit down to two, 44-42, by outscoring the Penguins 9-4 in the first four minutes of the second half.

After a Nwogbo dunk, the Penguins scored the next 13 points to take a 59-44 lead with 11:34 left.

Over the next six minutes, Longwood chipped away at the deficit and got within four with 5:28 left.

A tip-in by Hain, a jumper by Keene and another Hain tip-in pushed the Youngstown State lead back to 10, 76-66, with 3:37 to go.

Longwood got back within six with 2:45 remaining, but the Penguins made six straight free throws with less than 35 seconds left to seal the victory.

The Penguins close out the EMU Showcase against UNC-Greensboro today at noon.