YSU men fall short at Detroit in overtime

Staff report

DETROIT

The Youngstown State men’s basketball team erased a 15-point second-half deficit and forced overtime, but the Penguins’ come-back attempt fell short in a 93-87 loss to Detroit on Thursday evening at Calihan Hall.

The Penguins (10-14, 1-8 Horizon League) shot 52 percent in the second half, outscored the Titans, 50-38, and connected on seven 3-pointers after halftime to force the extra period.

Sophomore Marcus Keene led five players scoring in double figures with a game-high 24 points and tied a career high with six 3-pointers, four coming after halftime. Senior DJ Cole scored 15 points with four assists and classmate Shawn Amiker posted 13 points. Junior Bobby Hain and sophomore Osandai Vaughn each added 12 points. Vaughn scored all of his points after halftime, while Hain posted 10 of his 12 after the break.

The Penguins made a season-high 11 3-pointers and went 22-of-29 from the free-throw line.

Detroit (11-12, 4-4 Horizon League) placed five players in double figures led by senior Juwan Howard, Jr., with 22 and freshman Paris Bass had a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Anton Williams scored 17 points and made four 3-pointers while Brandon Kearney had 11 and Jaleel Hogan added 10 points.

YSU’s Cameron Morse had a chance to win the game in regulation but his running jumper rolled off the rim at the buzzer.

In the overtime, the Titans built a eight-point lead with just over a minute remaining but 3-pointers by Cole and Keene got the Penguins within three, 85-82, with 38 seconds left.

Following two charity tosses by Kearney, Morse made three free throws to cut the deficit to two, 87-85, with 28 seconds left.

Detroit made its final six free throws and went 14-of-16 from the line in the overtime to seal the victory.

The Penguins shot just 37 percent in the first half and committed 13 turnovers that led to 13 Detroit points. The Titans, who shot just 39.4 percent in the first half, used 13-4 run over the last six minute to turn a three-point lead, 21-18, into a 12-point halftiime advantage, 34-22.

The Penguins host Oakland on Sunday at the Beeghly Center.