Morse scores 28 as YSU holds off IUPUI

Morse scores 28

in Penguins’ win

Staff report

Indianapolis

Cameron Morse scored a game-high 28 points and the Youngstown State men’s basketball team held off a late IUPUI surge to hang on for an 84-80 victory Saturday at Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

The Penguins improve to 7-20 overall and 5-9 in the Horizon League while the Jaguars fall to 8-16 and 5-9 in the league.

YSU freshman Garrett Covington had 14 points, including 12 in the first half. Senior Jaylen Benton posted 12 points and junior Tyree Robinson added 11 points for the Penguins, who made nine 3-pointers.

Leading IUPUI was T.J. Henderson with 22 points while Ron Patterson had 17 points and Aaron Brennan added 16.

Youngstown State scored 10 of the first 15 points of the second half keyed by a pair of 3s by Morse, a senior, to lead by as many as 15, 57-42, with 16:03 left.

The Jaguars cut the lead to 10, 66-56, midway through the second half before the Penguins regained a 14-point edge, 75-61, following a layup by Morse at the 5:23 mark.

The Jaguars went on a 16-4 run over the next four minutes to get within two, 79-77, with a minute left, but Morse hit three free throws to put the Penguins back up five. 82-77.

Henderson’s 3-point play with 29 seconds left made the score 82-80, but Robinson’s breakaway dunk with 21 second left put the game away.

YSU swept the season series from the Jaguars. The Penguins beat IUPUI 85-62 on Jan. 20 in Youngs-town.

YSU will host Oakland on Wednesday night.

Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. at Beeghly Center.