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YSU’s Smolinski scores 30
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William D. Lewis the vindicator YSU Alison Smolinski(2) drives past CSU's Ashanti Abshaw(2) during Jan 16, 2017 action at YSU.
By BROOKE MEENACHAN
YOUNGSTOWN
Despite a slow start to the season and a few setbacks caused by injuries, the Youngstown State women’s basketball team may have just found its groove.
The Penguins (7-10, 3-3 Horizon League) have a three-game winning streak in league play after Monday’s 92-67 win over Cleveland State. It was the Penguins’ fourth straight victory at Beeghly Center.
Following Saturday’s win over Valparaiso, YSU head coach John Barnes said his team had been playing “good halves,” but hadn’t been able to put together a full 40 minutes.
Monday, the Penguins scored 23, 22, 24 and 23 in each quarter and held the Vikings to 37-percent shooting.
“We definitely took a step forward,” Barnes said. “I thought our defense could have been better in the first quarter, but second, third and fourth much more solid.
“We did a really nice job moving the basketball, finding the hot shooters,” Barnes said. “Obviously Al [Smolinski] did an outstanding job finding the openings and being aggressive.”
Smolinski, who led with 30 points, echoed her coach, saying, “We’re a team that tends to not play all four quarters and take some quarters off. I think this game we definitely stepped up.”
It’s safe to say the sophomore has recovered from her concussion against Wright State. In her second game back, she tied YSU’s 3-point record with eight — an individual record she credits her team for creating.
”That’s just my teammates getting me the ball,” Smolinski said. “They do a great job.”
Barnes agreed.
“Indiya [Benjamin] and Jenna [Hirsch], the whole team really did a good job finding her when she was open and attacking the paint to draw defenders and kick,” he said.
Smolinski hit five of of her eight 3-pointers in the third quarter alone, starting the hot streak with a bucket from the left corner at 6:39.
She hit the next one two minutes later from the same spot and began to feel her rhythm.
”I used to think about it more, but I think I’m just getting more confident and feeling comfortable out there,” Smolinski said.
She drained the next three 3-pointers within two minutes from both corners. Smolinski hit 6 of 8 3-pointers from the same two spots.
Smolinski exited the game with her fourth personal foul in the fourth quarter with 7:32 remaining, and returned in the final few minutes.
Despite being sidelined, the guard never lost her mojo. Smolinski found herself in the corner again at 1:53 and drained her eighth 3-pointert. She went 8-12 from behind the arc and led all scorers with a career high 30-points coming of the bench.
The Penguins started the game with a vengeance and a chip on their shoulder having lost to Cleveland State on Dec. 31, 71-68.
“It was a tough one at their place. We weren’t going to let them beat us around at our place,” Smolinski said.
Benjamin led the Penguins with 10 points in the final four minutes of the first half to give the Penguins a 45-38 lead.
YSU continued its momentum in the second half.
“I was glad we kept the pedal down and extended the lead in the second half rather than give them a chance to sneak back in,” Barnes said. “It’s the players. They get it done and they certainly got it done.”
The Penguins hope their energy carries over on the road.
“We need to figure out how to play well and get wins on the road, which is difficult. And for a young team, it’s even more difficult. I feel like this stretch is going to help us,” Barnes said.