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YSU looks to build on big win at WSU
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Building off of a big road win at Wright State on Saturday is the task at hand for the Youngstown State men’s basketball team this week.
The Penguins (8-9, 2-2 Horizon League) trailed by 14 at halftime in Fairborn before scoring 50 points in the second half to win at Nutter Center.
“It was a great win for us,” Youngstown State head coach Jerry Slocum said. “This group needed something a little positive. That’s not an easy place to play and we executed well.”
While the YSU defense held Wright State at bay down the stretch, the offense coming alive is what powered everything over the weekend.
“We finally shot the ball like I think we can,” Slocum said. “I told the kids at the half [at Wright State] I wouldn’t change anything that we’re doing. Offensively we just had to make some shots and that’s what happened.”
The win came two days after a frustrating 83-70 loss at Northern Kentucky where the offensive struggles really hurt YSU.
“I thought we played a pretty good game at Northern Kentucky,” Slocum said. “We just had shot after shot that just would not drop.
“You feel a lot better about yourself when the ball goes in the basket. You play better defense, confidence grows, that’s exactly what happened against Wright State.”
There wasn’t much time to relish in the win with a three-games-in-five-days stretch coming up beginning with Valparaiso on Thursday. The Crusaders (12-4, 2-1) will have to stop the three-headed monster of Alec Peters (24.2 points per game), Shane Hammink (15.3) and Tevonn Walker (12.4) before taking on UIC (8-8, 1-2) and then traveling to play Detroit (2-14, 0-4) on Monday.
“Valpo is one of the best mid-majors in the country and they’ve probably got the No. 1 play in the mid-major pool,” Slocum said. “They’re really long and have really good size.”
The Crusaders are also averaging 19.8 points from the free-throw line, shooting at an 80.2 percent clip. That percentage is good enough for third in the nation.
“You really have to guard the foul line against them,” Slocum said. “They’re a little bit average to below from the 3-point line, but they’re really good in terms of 2-point baskets.
“They do two things really well. They go to the offensive glass and rebound and they drive to make you foul them. That’ll be a game emphasis for us to try to keep them off the line.”
Getting off to a quick start will be imperative for the Penguins. YSU has been outscored 160-123 in first halves of conference play so far, but seems to respond in the second half, outscoring opponents 176-160.
“We have to bring that good energy we have in second halves to the first,” YSU senior Jorden Kaufman said. “We have every piece of the puzzle in my opinion, we just need to put it together. But we’re on our way.”